A KEIGHLEY special school has received a glowing Ofsted report.

Inspectors visited Beckfoot Phoenix, in Braithwaite Avenue, to carry out a so-called section eight inspection – which doesn't involve a graded judgment.

And the team said that if the school was to receive a section five inspection now, which includes gradings, there was enough evidence to suggest it could be rated as 'outstanding'.

Shirley Watson – chief executive officer of the Beckfoot Trust, of which Phoenix has been a part since 2017 – said she was delighted with the feedback from Ofsted inspectors.

"Reading the Ofsted report is quite simply humbling," she said.

"I could not be more proud of the pupils, staff and their inspirational headteacher, Rachel Stirland.

"The feedback describes Beckfoot Phoenix in a way that we entirely recognise – as a school of ‘warmth, care and ambition’ and a place where ‘there are no limits to what staff believe their pupils can achieve’. In my view there is no better praise for any school, although I know that the team at Beckfoot Phoenix do what they do every single day for the children and not for any badge of honour – as lovely as it is to receive one!"

Beckfoot Phoenix caters for children aged two to 11 with severe learning difficulties, and profound and complex learning and medical needs.

In its report, Ofsted describes the school’s curriculum as "aspirational and of high quality".

It adds: "The wider curriculum is a rich one. Pupils experience a wealth of opportunities to broaden their awareness of the community and the world.

"In the context of the provision of Beckfoot Phoenix, behaviour is exemplary. Across the board, staff have consistently high expectations that are founded on strong, caring relationships. Pupils’ behaviour around school is of a high quality – they are polite, considerate of others and orderly."

Mrs Stirland, who has been headteacher at Phoenix for nine years, said it had been her "privilege" to see the school go from strength to strength.

And she added that she "couldn't be prouder" of the Ofsted report.

In a message to parents, she said: "This has been a team effort and we have only been able to do it with your support. You are an amazing group of families with fantastic children, and it is you – together with our very skilled and hard-working staff – that make-up our Beckfoot Phoenix team."