OFSTED inspectors have praised an independent school for boys with autistic spectrum disorders.

They visited Southlands School in Lymington, a residential special school for pupils aged from eight to 16, and found the curriculum to be "broad and balanced". They also singled out the quality of teaching and the high standard of residential care for praise.

The Wing Centre, which provides further education programmes for 21 students aged from 16 to 19 and is attached to the school, was also commended.

Students are referred to the 42-pupil school from all over the UK and even mainland Europe.

Overall the inspectors found the school and the centre, that is part of the Hesley Group, to be "very well" managed with good links to the local community.

Maggi Rigg, group principal, said: "Southlands and the Wing Centre are the first Hesley establishments to be inspected under the new framework .

"I am both encouraged by the positive nature of the inspection process, and delighted by the finding that there are no issues for Southlands or The Wing Centre to address."

Angela Nightingale, head of The Wing Centre, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the positive feedback from the inspection team and, in particular, the team's recognition of the holistic and therapeutic ethos across both establishments."

Pupils at the school also suffer with speech and language disorders, dyspraxia, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder and moderate learning difficulties.

OFSTED REPORT - SOUTHLANDS SCHOOL, LYMINGTON:

STRENGHTS:

A broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils and students.

A strong caring ethos.

The quality of teaching is generally good and is often very good.

All the staff work together in an excellent team.

n The residential care is of a high quality.

The school and centre are very well managed.

The students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good.

WHAT NEXT?

The school and centre must continue to check that the work set can be completed, with as little adult support as is necessary to enable pupils to become more independent.

More reference must be made to the pupils' and students' individual learning targets during lessons, and when composing termly reports.