A HAMPSHIRE school has been recognised as an ‘outstanding’ school for children and young people with emotional, social, behavioural and mental health difficulties.

Coxlease School in Lyndhurst received the recognition in its latest Ofsted report which said the New Forest school was outstanding across the board.

The independent education watchdog praised the school's effective leadership and management, quality of teaching and learning as well as the personal development of pupils.

Its inspectors added: "In often a short space of time, the school is able to turn pupils’ very negative attitudes into positive ones. Pupils quickly become confident learners and show a genuine passion for learning."

Coxlease School, run by healthcare specialists the Priory Group, is an independent Special School with six associated children’s homes for boys and girls aged eight to 18.

School principal, Karen Gaster, said: "This momentous outcome for the school is testament to the hard work and professionalism of all of the staff involved across Coxlease.

"They consistently demonstrate high levels of commitment to our pupils, placing them at the centre of everything that we do."

The Ofsted inspectors said a key to the school’s success was the outstanding quality of teaching, learning and assessment – and high expectations for pupils and that: "The vast majority of pupils make excellent progress towards challenging targets.

"Despite their low starting points when joining the school, pupils rapidly gain the life and learning skills that they need to move on to the next stage of their education with confidence."

Ofsted said that parents it had spoken to during the inspection were delighted with the school: "This was exemplified by one parent who accurately stated, ‘Teachers are amazing with the pupils and I love this place for what it has done for my child. For once they actually want to come to school.'"

Mark Underwood, chief executive officer of Priory Education and Children’s Services, said: "I am very proud of this outcome, which accurately reflects the hard work of both students and staff.

"Staff work tirelessly to support, motivate and encourage students to achieve their very best and to exceed expectations. This permeates the whole culture of the school.

"And our pupils’ behaviour was described as ‘outstanding’.

"The all-round commitment and partnership between the amazing pupils and staff team has been the foundation of Coxlease School’s success."