A SPECIAL school has been told it continues to be “outstanding”, the highest possible rating.

Downs View Special School, in Warren Road, Woodingdean, was visited by education watchdog Ofsted on February 11 and 12.

The school looks after 218 children aged between three and 19 and was last visited in 2016.

Following the visit this year, inspectors wrote: “This is an extremely friendly and welcoming school where pupils feel happy and safe.

“One parent who completed Ofsted’s parent view survey summed this up by saying ‘The secret to Downs View’s success is the culture of care, warmth and love that comes from its community’.”

Downs View is an all-through specialist school for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The school provides for pupils who have moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Many pupils have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and some pupils have social and emotional mental health needs.

Inspectors found the leaders have “carefully thought about the skills and knowledge pupils will need by the time they leave the school”.

They said: “Children in early years make a super start to their education.

“Routines are put in place so that children quickly become independent.

“Students in the sixth form have a highly effective personalised curriculum that prepares them to be independent in the community or at work. Pupils have excellent opportunities that extend their learning beyond academic subjects.”

The report finished: “When we have judged a special school to be outstanding.”