A special school in north Norfolk has been praised for helping its pupils flourish and grow into confident young adults.The 105-pupil Sidestrand Hall near Cromer was a give an overall good grade - the second highest ranking - by Ofsted inspectors.

A special school in north Norfolk has been praised for helping its pupils flourish and grow into confident young adults.

The 105-pupil Sidestrand Hall near Cromer was a give an overall good grade - the second highest ranking - by Ofsted inspectors.

They said the residential complex, where up to 20 pupils board overnight, had pupils with mostly moderate learning difficulties, through some were autistic, and a growing number had behavioural, emotional and social problems.

Many had 'negative experiences' of school before going to Sidestrand, but there they flourished because of the support tailored to their individual needs, which helped them became confident young adults ready for the next stage of life at16.

The school was a calm place where the head teacher Sarah Fee 'clearly knows where it is heading and how it will get there.' It had improved since the last inspection and had scope to improve even further.

Results remained low because of the pupils' difficulties but more than half got D to G grades in mathematics and science and did well in a range of vocational awards.

Boarding provision was also ranked good. Among the handful of things the school was asked to improve was reducing the number of exclusions which were still too high.

Reacting to the report, Mrs Fee said they were immensely proud of the outcome. Children were leaving the school with seven or eight national awards and achieving beyond expectations. And she was pleased with feedback about the family feel of the school, which supported parents as well as students.