A special school in west Suffolk has been praised for its "exceptionally successful" curriculum and SEND support by Ofsted inspectors. 

The education watchdog visited Churchill Special Free School in Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, on October 8 and 9 when they found it had "taken effective action" to maintain standards identified in the previous inspection, when it was rated 'outstanding'. 

The 70-pupil school for eight to 18 year olds is part of Unity Schools Partnership and was described by inspectors as a place where pupils can "be themselves". 

School staff were said to support pupils to "celebrate their neurodiversity" with one pupil stating the school was somewhere "any pupil in the world would want to go to". 

Inspectors said all staff know pupils' special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "incredibly well" and give pupils "highly effective" speech, language and therapeutic support.

Pupils behave well and make "exceptional" progress, also enjoying a range of activities at the school including coding, garage band and animal care.

The report, published on November 21, states the 'life skills' curriculum at Churchill supports pupils to gain independence including using public transport and buying and cooking food.

Inspectors wrote: "Since the previous inspection, the school has accurately evaluated and improved its curriculum to reflect the changing needs of its pupils.

"The exceptional success of the curriculum is down to the way staff consistently and effectively help pupils to learn," they added.

They said by the time pupils are ready to leave school they have "progressed exceptionally well from their varied starting points" and added that all pupils at the school move on to further study or training.

They said pupils treat one another and staff member with respect and described the aspects of school life as "planned and joined together exceptionally well." 

Churchill Special Free School is a special school for pupils aged eight to 18.

It caters for pupils who have SEND related to autism and speech, language and communication needs.