A Ringwood school is celebrating being rated "Outstanding" across all areas in an Ofsted inspection.

The Sheiling School received the residential inspection in December.

The special school, which caters for children and young people aged 5 to 19 with a range of learning disabilities, has retained its "Outstanding" rating for its residential provision, a standard it has maintained since June 2023.

In November 2024, the school's education provision was rated "Good" with some "Outstanding" areas.

Heidi Holm RasmussenHeidi Holm Rasmussen (Image: Supplied) The school is set in a 45-acre site near the New Forest and Dorset coastline, providing a therapeutic learning environment for its pupils.

Social care inspectors Wendy Anderson and Sally Shakespeare commended the school for consistently providing "excellent care" to children.

Head of residential services, Heidi Holm Rasmussen said: "To be rated 'Outstanding' once is a great achievement and fills me with great pride, but maintaining 'Outstanding' across all areas while developing new aspects of our provision is an even greater accomplishment.

"Reading the final report fills me with joy; it reflects all the things which make The Sheiling Ringwood both a wonderful place to work and for young people to learn and grow. This is something that I see happening each day and consider myself fortunate to be a part of."

The report highlighted the strong relationships between the staff and pupils, noting the nurturing approach and dedication to the children.

The residential provision was also praised for offering a welcoming home. The inspectors reported several key strengths of the school.

Children were noted to be making excellent progress, with staff striving for the best possible outcomes.

Heidi Holm Rasmussen and Feirefis Residential HouseHeidi Holm Rasmussen and Feirefis Residential House (Image: Supplied) The school was praised for meaningful consultations with pupils, effectively using alternative communication systems to involve pupils in making choices and planning for their futures.

The report also noted the extensive range of health and wellbeing services available to pupils, all working collaboratively with the residential and education teams to ensure a holistic approach to each child's care.

The report also highlighted the school's excellent safety and safeguarding practices and the staff's understanding of behaviour as a form of communication.

Parents were reported to be overwhelmingly positive about the care and progress of their children.