A KENDAL independent school is reaping the rewards of an impressive Ofsted report which places it among the country’s elite.

After two ‘outstanding’ ratings from the education watchdog in as many months, Whinfell School, catering for 11 to 19-year-old boys with autism and learning difficulties, is in the top one per cent of all schools nationally.

In November, its social care provision was rated ‘outstanding’ and, after January’s inspection into education provision, it achieved a second top accolade.

Ofsted inspector Terry McKenzie said Whinfell was ‘outstanding in every respect’.

The quality of teaching, teachers’ ‘excellent relationships’ with students, the curriculum and safeguards protecting students were praised.

Mr McKenzie wrote: “Students enjoy school. From very low starting points on joining school, they make outstanding progress.”

Staff were ‘over the moon’ with the report, said head Richard Tyson – and said the school’s progress was down to the commitment of staff.

“This is a fabulous result. We are delighted Ofsted has given Whinfell the highest rating possible and this is down to the hard work and dedication of the whole team,” said Mr Tyson.

School director John McGlynn said the improvement was down to a number of factors.

He explained the ratio of 42 staff to ten students enabled the school to create a ‘tailored approach’ to each student, known as personcentred development.

Alongside formal qualifications the school also concentrates on developing the social skills of students, such as recognising facial expressions and understanding relationships, said Mr McGlynn.

“It is the little things that we take for granted that pupils struggle with and need support with.

"We celebrate academic achievement but also recognise that this needs to go hand in hand with the ability to be able to live as independently as possible.”

The school has also expanded, adding new facilities and taking on more staff with autism expertise.

Mr McGlynn said the only area Ofsted high-lighted for improvement — the introduction of a wider reading program-me — had already been implemented.

He added: “Staff are over the moon. They work really hard with complex boys and are extremely proud to be involved in a school that makes a real difference to young people’s lives.”

Parent Stephen Tub-man said families shared Ofsted’s opinion, adding: “The school makes a difference to the young men, which is something to be proud of.”

The school, ten-years-old next year, plans to take on young autistic adults from summer.