A WIRRAL school for children with special educational needs and disabilities is celebrating its third outstanding Ofsted report in a row.

Elleray Park, based across two sites in Wallasey and Pensby, is described as an "inspiring place to be [where] pupils, and children in their early years flourish" by the education watchdog.

After a visit in April, the school was given the highest rating for effectiveness in all five areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.

What did the report say?

Inspectors complemented "highly attuned" teachers and staff at Elleray Park who have an "unrelenting ambition" for pupils to succeed, resulting in exceptional personal and social development.

They said the outstanding behaviour exhibited by all pupils at the school and staff's expertise in understanding and addressing the individual needs of the children creates a harmonious environment for effective learning.

Elleray Park has 214 pupils aged between two and 11 years old, and caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties, autism and children with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The report states: "The school’s curriculum places no ceiling on pupils’ success. It prepares children and pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities for their next steps in education and life in modern Britain."

The inspectors discovered a "strong safeguarding culture" at Elleray Park and leaders and staff are "vigilant in looking for indications that pupils could be at risk of harm, especially as most pupils are unable to communicate easily".

Ofsted has conducted full inspections in 2008, 2010 and this year, with a short inspection in 2016, and given outstanding status to the school each time.

The school was commended for having an "outstanding school leadership team supported by a highly effective and experienced governing body".

Headteacher Margaret Morris said: "We are so pleased that we have once again been rated as an outstanding school in all areas. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff that consistently provides excellent provision for the children and to all our families for their continued support. 

"It takes a team effort to gain an outstanding Ofsted rating and the excellent provision that we offer the children here at Elleray Park is very much reflected in the outcome of this inspection."

Ofsted’s report says the school’s leaders "have expertly created clear learning pathways that exactly pinpoint the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils must learn in order to achieve future success. This well-thought out and well-designed curriculum helps pupils’ achievement to be exceptional."

Chair of Governors Gail Webb said: "I’m extremely proud the Ofsted inspection found the school to be outstanding in all areas. It’s an acknowledgement to the excellent leadership of the school and the passion and dedication of all staff."