AN Evesham school has been judged 'outstanding' by inspectors.

Vale of Evesham School was lauded by Ofsted inspectors following a three day assessment in March.

The report was published last month, with the residential special needs school rated outstanding under all four judging criteria.

Deputy headteacher, Ruth Barton, said: “I think it is an absolutely exceptional result. Full credit to all our students and staff within the Vale of Evesham School.”

The report said: "The management and staff team continue to drive improvement and are proactive in sharing their expertise as they welcome managers from other local authority residential services.

"High quality interactions with care and education staff enable children and young people to feel valued and they make exceptional progress.

"This progress is seen in better education outcomes, improved speech, better sign language, making new friends and exceptional development in becoming more independent.

The voice of the child is central to staff practice. For example, children and young people co-chair the pupil forum, they are central to the review of the admission process and have control over what is displayed on the notice boards throughout the residential setting.

"Leaders, managers and staff have high aspirations for children, young people and themselves.

"Care is excellent because managers organise training to ensure seamless progression.

"Leaders and staff place great emphasis on the role that the residential setting plays in improving educational achievement.

"Children and young people excel both educationally and socially as a result of attending the residential provision at this school."

The school caters for 188 pupils in total. The residential service operates from Monday to Friday and can accommodate up to 15 students.

The school’s last inspection was in February 2016 when it was also rated outstanding.

To improve further, the school was told to: "Review and streamline medication recording procedures.

"Improve consistency between first and second references in recruitment.

"Review and consult with parents, children and young people about how to improve the transition process for when children and young people prepare to leave the residential service.

"Streamline and archive historical information in some children and young people’s files."