Orchard Manor School's residential provision has been rated 'good' by Ofsted in its most recent inspection.

The education watchdog has a four-tier rating system: inadequate, requires improvement, good, and outstanding. 

The school, located on John Nash Drive in Dawlish, provides education and care for up to 180 children aged three to 19 years with communication and interaction difficulties and autism spectrum conditions.

It also provides weekly residential care for up to 20 children (six children were living at the school in two houses at the time of the inspection).

Ofsted said that while the overall experiences and progress of children were good at the school, how well children and young people are "helped and protected" requires improvement.

In particular, it said that a "more curious approach" is required when managing some safeguarding risks and that they should be recorded more clearly.

A spokesperson for the government watchdog said: "Since the last inspection, leaders have reorganised the residential provision to look after 20 children in two houses. There are currently six children living there.

"Children are happy and comfortable in the houses. Staff form trusting and respectful relationships with the children.

"Leaders and managers provide consistent safeguarding guidance and support to staff and children. This helps children feel equally treated and supports a strong open culture in the school community.

"Staff mostly manage individual risks associated with a child's behaviour well. They make sure that the child's family and statutory agencies are notified about any concerns, to help create a safety plan.

"However, some risks require a more proactive approach to the development of strategies that anticipate/prevent harm from occurring. A more curious approach is required when managing some safeguarding risks. Leaders and managers acknowledge that the documentation related to risk can be recorded more clearly and cross referenced to strengthen safety planning around the children."

Click here to read the Ofsted report.