A SPECIALIST school for children with autism and communications difficulties has secured its sixth successive 'outstanding’ Ofsted rating.

Arbour Vale House, based at Arbour Vale School, in Farnham Road, received the good news after a three-day inspection between February 9 and 11.

The residential facility is visited every year and has been rated 'outstanding’ since it opened in June 2008.

Debbie Richards, headteacher, said: “We are delighted with the outcome. The report exemplifies the on-going hard work and skills of the residential staff team, led by head of care, Veronica Ellul, to ensure that we challenge all our pupils to achieve excellent levels of progress in all aspects of their educational, social and emotional development.

“The feedback from parents and other professionals was very pleasing, and captured the difference that Arbour Vale House had made to the quality of their lives. The pupils were excellent during the inspection visit and ably demonstrated the skills and independence they have gained.” In their report, the Ofsted inspectors said: “The overall effectiveness of Arbour Vale House is outstanding. Pupils make stunning progress, due to the residential experience, and make vast progress in many aspects of their development and importantly can transfer these improvements to home.”