Staff and pupils at a special school are celebrating after being rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for its third successive inspection.

Inspectors praised the leadership at Alfriston School, in Penn Road, Beaconsfield, saying the team had “maintained the outstanding quality of education” in the school since its last inspection in July 2013, and previously in 2009 before it became an academy.

They said the school – a day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 19 who have moderate learning difficulties – was a “happy and caring place” and that “parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school and the difference it has made to their children’s well-being and progress”.

Inspectors also noted that pupils were “very happy” at the school and made “excellent progress because staff know them very well and have very high aspirations for them”.

Staff were further praised, with inspector Lucy English saying social and emotional learning were “integrated seamlessly” into the curriculum alongside academic study to help pupils move on and “succeed in modern British society” after they leave.

Head teacher Jinna Male said: “This is a great accolade to the school, in recognition of the very high standard of education and opportunities offered to our girls.

“Our aim is to help the girls to acquire the social and life skills needed to integrate into the community and to be able to enjoy and participate in life as contributing adults.

“We are proud of the achievements of our pupils, and would like to ensure that our girls get the very best chances in life, despite their disadvantages, to be able to enjoy life to the full.”