A SPECIAL school which looks after children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties has been rated outstanding for its care.

Woodeaton Manor School, which has 52 pupils including boarding facilities for 10, was given Ofsted’s top rating for the second time.

The school focuses on children with emotional and social difficulties, and the vast majority have autism spectrum disorders.

In her report, inspector Barbara Davies said: “Leadership and management are extremely strong. The leadership provides clarity and direction to staff, and security and stability to residential pupils.”

She described staff at the school as “forward thinking” and said care standards had improved since the school was last inspected in 2010.

She added: “The school successfully challenges pre-conceptions and barriers within society, and is a strong advocate of inclusion.”

Ms Davies said the children enjoyed the residential provision at the school “without exception” and rated the school outstanding in all areas. She said: “Boarders develop socially, educationally and emotionally as a result of the vision that staff share.”

Oxfordshire’s special schools have a history of receiving Ofsted’s highest accolade. The Unicorn School in Abingdon was recently rated outstanding in every category, alongside eight other schools across the county. They include Northern House School, in Oxford, Swalcliffe Park School, near Banbury, and Penhurst School, in Chipping Norton, where many of the children have complex medical needs on top of profound learning difficulties.