A SCHOOL for children with special educational needs has been praised by inspectors.

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has given Oak Lodge School in Dibden Purlieu an overall rating of “good”, with the behaviour and safety of students being described as “outstanding”.

The report praises the progress made by head teacher Beverley Hawker and other senior staff.

It adds: “As a result of a sustained and rigorous focus on improvement by the leadership team, the proportion of good or better teaching has increased since the previous inspection. Teachers plan work well to ensure students’ needs are met and provide a variety of good quality resources to make learning interesting and lively.”

But the report says Oak Lodge needs to make more progress before it can be classed as “outstanding”.

The report says: “There are not enough opportunities for students to be independent learners in lessons.

“Students’ literacy skills are not promoted consistently across all subjects.

“A few of the more able students are not making rapid enough progress in order to achieve high standards by the time they leave the school.”

Oak Lodge, which shares a site with Applemore College and a council-owned health and leisure centre, caters for pupils with autism and other conditions.

The report says the drive and ambition of staff underpins the work of the school, ensuring that continuous improvement is maintained.

It adds: “As a result of well-established routines and consistently high expectations, behaviour in lessons and around the school is largely outstanding.”

Margaret Rowles, chairman of governors, said: “Oak Lodge is a very progressive school that has achieved much in the last three years, both in its provision of good and outstanding teaching and the progress made by students who all go on to further education or work-based training.

“The school has a very safe and nurturing environment allowing the students to develop into confident young adults.”