A HEAD teacher has praised the "amazing pupils and staff" at a specialist school described as outstanding by Ofsted.

Bleasdale School at Silverdale welcomes children and young people aged two to 19 with profound and multiple learning difficulties and complex needs.

Inspectors who visited the day and residential school at Emesgate Lane in July found it "continues to be outstanding" since their last full inspection in April 2012.

Head teacher Kairen Dexter told the Gazette she was "proud of her school", which has amazing pupils and staff, and Ofsted's outstanding judgement confirmed this.

In a letter to Mrs Dexter, the Ofsted team heaped praise upon Bleasdale School, writing: "Your leadership has ensured that the school continues to build upon its strengths. You have inspired your staff to believe that education, as well as care, should be at the heart of what they do on behalf of the pupils."

They said Mrs Dexter's creativity had ensured classmates received "an enriching and stimulating curriculum" and they said the school was "now an integral part of the local community". Bleasdale has strong links with nearby primary and secondary school, for example when pupils come together for forest school lessons.

Parents told inspectors they felt "valued as partners in the school community".

Children were found to settle well in lessons "because of the sensitive and intuitive teaching and support provided by caring staff" and inspectors said behaviour was managed "exceptionally well".

Students aged 16 to 19 are fully involved in decisions about their next steps after leaving school, and the most able have good social skills and shake hands "with a friendly, confident greeting", said Ofsted. All young people take an independent living course, and pupils are encouraged to be as resilient as possible.

"The great majority of pupils make good or better progress in their learning, behaviour, social, personal, speech, communication, physical and sensory development from very low starting points," inspectors told head teacher Mrs Dexter in their letter.

"Leaders ensure that there is always an emphasis on high expectations and challenge in the classroom. By the time they leave the school, all pupils move on successfully to the next stage, for example a college course or supported independent living placements."

Inspectors said the school's next steps should be putting "an even sharper focus" on planning for individual pupils, and keeping a focus on working with parents.