BOSSES at a special school have said they are “extremely disappointed” after Ofsted deemed it to be inadequate… just months after the same rating was given to its social care provision.

Lexden Springs, in Stanway, was given the rating by the education watchdog following its latest inspection, which was downgraded from its previous good rating.

The school, in Winstree Road, cares for pupils with special educational needs, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties and autism.

The new inspection follows one of the school’s social care provision in January, which was also rated inadequate.

In the new inspection, the school’s leadership and management was rated inadequate, meanwhile its quality of education, early years provision and sixth form provision were rated requires improvement.

The five-person inspection team raised concerns about “essential medical advice” not being available to staff which “puts pupils at risk” as well as the school not acting swiftly to “address a decline in the quality of education”.

Jennifer Grotier, Interim Executive Headteacher at Lexden Springs School, said: “We are committed to ensuring all pupils at Lexden Springs School receive the best possible education.

“Following our most recent Ofsted inspection, during which the school was graded as ‘inadequate’, swift action has been taken to ensure immediate improvements are made.

“The school has a clear action plan in place to address the key improvement areas identified in the report.

"Working with the support of an Interim Executive Board and Essex County Council, we remain fully focused on providing the best possible education for our students.

“While the overall judgement of ‘inadequate’ is extremely disappointing, it was pleasing to see inspectors also pointed out many of the school’s strengths, including rating both ‘Behaviour and Attitudes’ and ‘Personal Development’ as ‘Good’.

“Ofsted also singled out the behaviour and happiness of pupils in their report and praised their caring relationship with staff at the school, as well as the opportunities children have to connect with the wider community.

“I wish to thank the school community, particularly the parents, for their support.

"We will keep them updated as we progress on making the necessary improvements over the coming months.”