A HAMPSHIRE school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties has been described as good by inspectors.

Heathfield Special School in Fareham was found to have many strengths by the inspection team from the Office for Standards in education (Ofsted)

These included the quality of teaching at the 110-pupil school, described as "good overall" with some "outstanding" lessons.

Inspectors highlighted teachers' "extremely good" questioning skills, very high levels of expertise in teaching autistic pupils and the teamwork among staff. They also praised the high levels of expertise among teaching assistants together with the school's leadership and management.

Inspectors found the progress and achievement of pupils to be good with exceptionally high achievement in personal, social and health education and outstanding progress in developing listening skills. Pupils were praised for the positive contribution to the school through the school council and community fundraising activities.

Head teacher Stella Muirhead said: "It is great that Ofsted have recognised the sense of common purpose that is shared by our brilliant staff team.

"This report is a tribute to the enthusiasm, effort and commitment of staff."

STRENGTHS

Quality of teaching and learning has improved

Children get a good start to their education in the foundation stage

Outstanding pupil personal development

Outstanding care, welfare and guidance of pupils

Good pupil behaviour

Outstanding curriculum

Very good leadership by head teacher

Parents involved in their children's learning

Staff display excellent teamwork skills

IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED

Continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning so work is of high standard

Continue work started to improve quality of pupils' reading throughout the school

Ensure all aspects of the schools' work are appropriately monitored

Improve the completion of home school books and data on attendence - procedures for checking reasons for absence were not sufficiently rigorous

EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

Pupils' progress and achievement is good

Pupils do exceptionally well in their personal, social and health education

Pupils' make outstanding progress in improving their listening skills

Pupils make significant gains in improving their communication skills by the time they leave school

Pupils with autistic spectrum disorder make good progress