A small school which supports students with autistic spectrum disorders is celebrating following a successful Ofsted report.

Three Bridges Education Centre, near Truro, received an overall “good” rating from Oftsed, with one area rated as outstanding. The school provides individual learning programmes designs to meet the needs and interests of its students and created to engage, challenge and inspire.

Kathleen Hampshire, head of the school, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this report from Ofsted, which is proof of the hard work and dedication of our whole school community.”

The report states the behaviour of the students is outstanding, and a strength of the school. It also praises the school’s leadership and the calm, safe environment it creates for students.

It says: “Pupils are well cared for and nurtured through individual support within a safe and calm environment. They settle well, develop a secure trust in the adults around them and are happy to attend school. The school works very closely with parents to support their children. Parents are highly appreciative of all that the headteacher and her staff do to ensure the safety and academic and personal development of their children.

“Pupils are supported extremely well to manage their behaviour and to recognise when they need help. They have learned coping strategies, with the help of staff, so that disruptive behaviour is rare. Respect and tolerance are the hallmark of all relationships within the school.”

Three Bridges is managed and owned by Spectrum, the South West’s leading charity for autism services, and provides education to children and young people between 11 and 19-years-old.

The school, the only one of its kind in Cornwall, is an environment where students can learn at their own pace and in lessons individually tailored to meet each of their specific needs.

Vincent Barton, head of children’s services for Spectrum, said: “We believe that through provision of such a specialised environment, the likelihood of understanding and benefitting from education is greatly enhanced and students have a much better chance of integrating with the community.”

All students have received statements of special educational needs and their places are funded by Cornwall Council. Spectrum offers residential care, education and support for people with autism. For information about Spectrum and its services, visit spectrumasd.org.