STAFF, trustees and students of a New Forest school for children with special educational needs is celebrating after being rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection areas following recent inspections.

The Sheiling in Ringwood provides placements for children and young people between the ages of 6 and 19 with severe, complex and moderate learning disabilities.

Set in a sustainable and eco-friendly 40-acre site close to the New Forest National Park and Dorset coastline, the natural surroundings of the school provide a rich learning environment.

The school received the ‘Good’ rating for both education and care from Ofsted inspectors. Highlights of the report include:

• Staff share the high aspirations of leaders and are unrelenting in their quest to provide pupils with the very best learning and therapeutic experiences.

• Relationships between staff and pupils are impressive. Staff forge a warm and supportive environment which enables pupils to feel safe and secure.

• Behaviour of pupils is good. Staff understand pupils’ needs extremely well and manage their complex and anxious behaviours with skill.

• Children are happy and are making good progress socially, emotionally and educationally.

• The quality of the outdoor facilities and children’s access to their local environment is excellent.

• Leaders and managers successfully implement a strong ethos and positive philosophy throughout the home that is understood and delivered by staff.

Andy Walters, head of the school, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the outcomes from our recent Ofsted. The inspector made a significant effort to really understand our provision and to analyse all the areas that are making a difference to our students.”

"Our teaching staff consistently deliver imaginative, purposeful and effective learning experiences for the students. I believe the report is an accurate reflection of our school and recognises all staff involvement and their dedicated and passionate approach."

Reflecting upon their child’s time at the school, one parent said: “It is the first time my daughter has been valued as an individual and not the child with all the problems.”