A SPECIAL school has been branded "outstanding" in an Ofsted report.

Inspectors say Newfield school is "a shining example of how meticulous care and attention paid to an individual's needs lead to exemplary progress in learning, resulting in outstanding achievement across the whole curriculum."

Headteacher Jane Barrie is praised for her "exemplary leadership" and adds "The view of pupils themselves is that this is a fantastic and staff are brilliant."

Newfield, which caters for 150 special needs pupils aged two to 19, moved from Roman Road, Blackburn, to Old Bank Lane in September.

Facilities at the new £6million building include a hydrotherapy pool, two multi-sensory studios which help children with visual and sensory difficulties and a flat with kitchen and bathroom for older pupils to learn living skills.

Areas the school is told it could improve include getting the "full potential of ICT in teaching and learning" and matching individual pupil targets with the aims of lessons.

A delighted Mrs Barrie said: "I wish to thank and congratulate every member of our school community on obtaining such an overwhelming endorsement of our school motto Together we Achieve'".