PORTFIELD School at Hurn has earned an outstanding "boarding" report from government Ofsted inspectors for its high standard of care outside the classroom for resident pupils.

Operated by the Christchurch-based Wessex Autistic Society, the newly-completed special school for children with autism houses more than 30 pupils in the four boarding bungalows on the Parley Lane campus and a satellite dormitory for teenage students in Stour Road.

Ofsted inspectors who visited the premises found an exceptionally high standard of care for the boarders during an intensive assessment including meetings with students, interviews with staff, reports from parents, and monitoring boarding house practice and administration.

And under every heading the Portfield provision was judged to be outstanding, with the Ofsted report highlighting a number of key strengths including communications between residential and classroom staff and between the school and parents and staff, high level of commitment and support from dedicated staff with strong leadership.

Portfield residential services manager Lisa Jolliffe said: "We were all thrilled to learn of this excellent result. It's a great boost to staff morale to know that their hard work has been recognised by an external agency.

"Everyone at the school works so hard for all the children and due to the nature of some of their behaviours, the work undertaken is often more trying.

"This requires school staff to be very patient and understanding, which has been duly noted by the Ofsted inspectors. The school staff do everything in their power to enable the children to reach their full potential, so we could not have asked for a better result."