STAFF, parents and pupils at Portfield School are celebrating after government inspectors rated it as Good.

A team from Ofsted visited the Christchurch school last month and concluded: "The majority of pupils make good progress and some make outstanding progress from low starting points. Pupils make exceptional progress in developing their life skills."

Portfield is a special school which was founded in 1971 by parents of children with autism.

It is managed by regional charity Autism Wessex and supports young people with autism and associated difficulties between the ages of three and 19. It is registered for up to 70 students.

Head teacher Tyler Collins said: "We are really pleased with this outcome. We have always been confident of the school’s specialist knowledge and ability to make a positive difference to pupil’s lives.

"It is our goal to enable our pupils to be active citizens enjoying maximum independence and a good quality of life. We have noted areas for improvement in order to achieve our goal of becoming an Outstanding Ofsted school and will continue to work hard to fulfil these ambitions."

Ofsted inspectors said: "Portfield School has improved significantly since its last inspection. Teaching is consistently good across the school.

"Pupils make good improvements in their personal and social development and learn to manage aspects of their autism more effectively. This has helped to improve their safety."

Mr Collins urged members of the public to visit the school for a family fun day, to be held on Saturday September 19.

All money raised from the event will go towards a new sensory room, set to cost £50,000.