A SCHOOL has been awarded top marks for the third time following an inspection by the Government's education watchdog.

Tor View Community Special School in Clod Lane, Haslingden, has been deemed ‘outstanding’ in every category by Ofsted and has become one of a handful of national teaching schools in the county.

The school caters for children aged three to 19 with a range of learning difficulties, physical disabilities and challenging behaviour.

After spending December 4 and 5 at the school, Ofsted inspectors gave top ranking to the quality of teaching, the achievement, behaviour and safety of pupils, and the standard of leadership and management at the school.

Tor View will now provide leadership in an alliance of schools and partners, offering strategic guidance to them. Chairman of governors Peter Sweetmore said: “I’m very proud of the school for this achievement.”

In their report, Ofsted inspectors said: “School leaders are totally focused on developing outstanding teaching and learning opportunities for pupils and staff.

“As a result, staff have excellent training to meet the complex needs of the pupils and ensure they make progress. Pupils’ achievement is outstanding. Pupils make exceptional progress from their individual starting points across all the key stages.

“They make significant progress in improving their reading, writing, and communication and mathematics skills during their key skills lessons as well as in other subjects.

“Teachers, and other adults in the class, are highly skilled at understanding and meeting the needs of the pupils.

“Pupils’ individual targets are challenging and broken down into small steps so that all progress is evident. The wide range of developmental activities, inside and outside school hours, gives pupils and parents excellent support to manage the complex difficulties they face and prepare for their future.

“The mission statement: ‘Together we inspire, learn, enjoy and achieve’ is shared by staff and governors due to the passion and commitment of the principal and headteacher. As a result, there is a harmonious staff team totally committed to continuous school development.”