Inspectors have said that staff and pupils at Dardoch House School in Catrine are performing well

Inspectors carried out a review at Daldorch House School in which they flagged up the positive relationships between staff and young people, the partnerships with allied health professionals and the attractive outdoor environment that supports learning as the main strengths.

Daldorch is an independent residential special school which is managed by the National Autistic Society.

It offers care and education to young people aged 12 to 21 with autism.

Inspectors said: "Young people have positive and trusting relationships with staff across the school. This helps them to feel safe and secure and overcome their anxieties about the world around them.

"In most classes, young people are appropriately engaged in learning activities. Almost all of them benefit from regular physical activities including swimming, football and the daily Meadow Mile. This is helping them to develop their physical fitness, and balance and coordination.

"Staff now need to help young people understand the skills they are developing and what they have to do to achieve success. Almost all young people have opportunities to learn in stimulating activity areas. In particular, the use of the outdoor environment helps them to make positive choices and develop their social skills.

"Young people benefit from frequent opportunities to learn in the community, for example, practicing their skills in using money when shopping. A few young people are taking part in enterprise activities including growing and selling their own produce.

"Overall most young people are learning and achieving appropriately. Almost all young people are achieving their individual literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing targets. Most young people are making progress with their communication and literacy skills.

"The majority of young people are achieving success in a range of National Qualifications. The school should consider ways to extend opportunities for young people to achieve further qualifications and awards."

The inspectors noted that they were satisfied with the overall quality of provision.

They added: "We are confident that the school’s self-evaluation processes are leading to improvements. As a result, we will make no further visits in connection with this inspection".