A school where pupils flourish and are extremely well supported by caring and skilled staff has been rated outstanding in all areas during an Ofsted inspection. 

Lights Years School in Fareham, an independent special school, has been awarded the highest accolade possible in its first ever inspection, which took place just ten months after opening.

Inspectors rated the school outstanding in all four categories - quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management - as well as overall. 

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Inspectors, who visited the school at the end of June, said in their report: "Pupils flourish at this school. They are extremely well supported by the caring and skilled staff. The mantra of ‘start small, grow tall’ permeates through every aspect of school life and sets pupils up for personal and academic success.

"There are high expectations for pupils to engage with their learning and be kind and respectful to others. Pupils concentrate in their lessons, work hard, and take pride in their achievements."

The report on the school for seven to 11-year-olds, in Tewkesbury Avenue, concludes: "In a short space of time, the school has established high standards of education that have pupils at the heart of everything."

Following the publication of the report, headteacher Sarah Alden told the Echo: "I could not be prouder of the children and staff who have all worked extremely hard since opening our doors in September 2023. All of our staff at Light Years School play a significant part in supporting the children and their families.

"We believe that when a child feels safe and supported, their learning journey flourishes. We focus as much on the academic progress as we do on a pupils’ personal, social, and emotional development to ensure they reach their full potential and are ready for the next phase of their educational journey so it is wonderful that ‘families are overwhelmingly positive about (our) school and the difference it makes to their children’s lives’.

"To be recognised for ‘inclusion being at the heart’ of our school gives a real sense of understanding of all that we strive to achieve."