A RESIDENTIAL school for children with autism has been graded as “good” by Ofsted following a dramatic turnaround since its last inspection.

Inspectors from the education watchdog visited Tadley Court, in Tadley Common Road, in January.

Their inspection report said: “Young people benefit considerably from receiving high levels of care from staff who clearly understand their individual needs. As a result outcomes for young people are outstanding.”

In April 2013 The Gazette revealed how Ofsted reported that children were illegally put in “cell-type” rooms as a form of restraint at the school, previously named Tadley Horizon School.

At the time, Ofsted judged the school, managed by Priory Education Services Limited which is part of the national company The Priory Group, to be “inadequate”.

The new report said: “The team has recently recognised the need to formally review physical interventions, in addition to the current monitoring, to ensure there is robust professional challenge and accountability.”

It added: “The management team has used a ‘lessons learned’ approach since the last full inspection culminating in a school that has improved and consolidated the quality of care it provides.”

Tadley Court has 50 pupils on roll aged between five and 19, 20 of whom were accessing residential care at the time of the inspection.

Ofsted graded the outcomes for residential pupils as “outstanding”.

The report said: “Young people are provided with excellent support and intervention regarding their behaviour. As a result they are able to significantly improve their abilities to deal with feelings of anger, frustration or upset.”

The quality of residential provision and care, residential pupils’ safety and leadership and management of the residential provision were all graded as “good”.

The report added: “There have been no incidents of young people going missing from the school since the last inspection.”

It also said the use of physical restraint in the residential areas has “significantly diminished”.

It added: “When this does occur a written record is made.”

Since the last inspection in February 2013 two complaints have been made concerning the residential setting.

Inspectors said: “Any complaint is taken very seriously and there is an investigation. A clear written response is given to the complainant outlining how the conclusion was reached. However, in one case the school’s written records did not evidence the investigation process. There is no negative impact on young people.”

Mark Underwood, chief executive officer of Priory Education Services, said: “This report is a credit to both the staff and pupils at Tadley Court who work together to achieve the best results possible. It is wonderful that their dedication and determination has been recognised by Ofsted and I’m very proud of what they have achieved.”