Staff and pupils at a Lowestoft special school are celebrating after they were recognised with an 'outstanding' double.

The Ashley School Academy Trust maintained the top rating of outstanding for two provisions following its latest assessment by the education watchdog Ofsted.

With the school and residential provision, on Ashley Downs, inspected by Ofsted last November, The Ashley School Academy Trust headteacher Sally Garrett said they were 'really proud' to have been recognised as 'doubly outstanding.'

Inspectors said The Ashley School Academy Trust is 'an outstanding, outward looking and successful' special school for 140 children with complex and moderate learning difficulties.

With the two reports published by Ofsted last week, it stated: 'Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school. The headteacher, senior leaders and subject leaders have a very clear and accurate view of the strengths and areas for improvement in the school.

'Teaching quality is consistently good and often outstanding, You have established an excellent reputation across the county in the field of special education and are continually at the forefront of innovation.'

The residential report adds: 'This is an outstanding residential provision that is an integral and highly valued element of the school. Leaders, managers and staff have ensured that excellent professional practice has been maintained since the last inspection. Across the board, this is underpinned by a lack of complacency, combined with a culture of continuous improvement.'

Delighted with the double recognition, Ms Garrett thanked 'everyone involved in our school community' for 'enabling these brilliant outcomes.' She added: 'We are really pleased to be able to celebrate this success and proud to be recognised as a thinking school and at the forefront of innovation.

'Everyone working within our community has played a significant role in ensuring we really do achieve our best and maintain a culture of continual improvement which, in turn, ensures all our pupils achieve now and in the future.

'Our pupils tell us that they enjoy coming to school, enjoy learning and through the effective teaching they make outstanding progress.'

Further reaction

Mark Kemp, Strategic Business Manager at The Ashley School Academy Trust, said: 'We are delighted to have been confirmed as remaining outstanding as both a school and a residential provision, which are separate Ofsted inspection regimes.'

Headteacher Sally Garrett added: 'As a community we strive to work together to achieve the very best outcomes for our pupils whilst they are at the school and as they move onto local colleges, apprenticeships or training; this was recognised by OfSTED and celebrated in both the residence report and school letter.

'Staff are committed to providing the best learning experiences for our pupils and work hard every day to achieve this.

'The leadership team have already looked at how to further improve opportunities for extending learning beyond the school and we will be sharing this with parents.'