Outstanding success is being celebrated at a Wantage special school for the second time in three years.

Fitzwaryn School in Denchworth Road, which teaches pupils with special needs and moderate to profound learning difficulties, has been deemed ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors, the highest rating.

The school, which has 60 children on its roll, was rated outstanding in its last inspection in 2005, and was said to have improved on that.

Inspector Mel Blackband, who visited the school in October, said: “Fitzwaryn was identified as an outstanding school in the previous inspection and this standard has been improved even further.”

He praised the teaching, achievements and the students’ personal development, and also said the curriculum was tailored well to meet each pupil’s learning needs.

Pupils receive a high level of individual attention, he said, and young children in the Foundation Stage come on in leaps and bounds and this momentum is maintained throughout their years at the school.

Headteacher Barbara Harker said: “We are absolutely delighted that the inspector has highlighted that we have improved even more than before. He has picked up on the excellent teaching and that the pupils are making good progress. We are really pleased with the support from the parents too.

“The school is held in high regard locally because of the outreach work in mainstream schools. This means teachers go into mainstream schools where there are children with difficulties and advise them on teaching methods and support.

“Our success is due to the dedication of the staff and their skills, and working together as a team. We see it as a tribute to the consistent very hard work of staff, governors and pupils.

“We certainly have a school of which to be proud.”

Mrs Harker said the school was expected to improve even more over the next two years with a major refurbishment. The school will have new classrooms, improved access with ramps, a sensory theatre, which will change in colour, smell and sound, a spa bath and a chill-out room.

She said: “We are going to have an environment that meets the needs of pupils. Our long term aim is to have an outstanding environment for the school.”

wantage@oxfordmail.co.uk