Meadowfield is an outstanding school according to a team of inspectors.

Ofsted visited the school in Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, last month and gave it top rating in every category.

It said as a result of outstanding leadership and management, many areas have improved since the last inspection in 2011.

The school is for pupils aged four to 19 who have profound, severe and complex needs.

Highlights of the report include:

By the time they leave school almost all pupils attain an external qualification;

Teachers know the children so well that they plan daily individual small steps;

Adults are exemplary role models. They are consistently calm and reassuring;

The school’s ‘very good’ engagement with parents has resulted in it gaining the Leading Parent Partnership Award;

Its work to keep pupils safe and secure is outstanding.

Head teacher Jill Palmer said: “The staff are thrilled to have been recognised as outstanding.

“The report states that ‘from the nursery to the sixth form, pupils develop a joy of learning at Meadowfield School’ and for us, that says it all.

“Our previous inspection in 2011 recognised us as a good school and since that time we have been on a journey to improve, develop and to be outstanding.

“The entire school community – pupils, teachers, teaching assistants, all supporting staff, parents/carers, governors – have worked extremely hard and we are delighted with the result of all of our efforts.

“We have developed and supported strong leaders, including middle managers, ensured staff effectively use data to promote pupil learning, strengthened literacy and maths, developed outstanding early years and 6th form provision and supported pupils in developing excellent behaviours which supports learning.

“Our school vision has the words ‘happy’, ‘safe’, ‘welcoming’, ‘proud’, ‘enthusiastic’ and these words came directly from our pupil. We believe our vision is alive and well here.”

The number of pupils on the school roll is 228. To see the report in full, visit www.ofsted.gov.uk