A special school has been told to improve by Ofsted.

Central Education, a school for students of secondary school age who have social, emotional and mental health issues, was rated requires improvement by the education watchdog.

Inspectors said pupils “who have previously had negative experiences of schooling and have missed considerable chunks of their learning” feel safe at Central Education, in Nash Lane, Scaynes Hill, near Haywards Heath.

“They describe the school community as a ‘family’ and welcome the time and attention they are given,” inspectors said.

“However, too many do not come to school often enough.”

Headteacher Mark Gill said: “The nature of this very specialist school means it would be inappropriate to comment on attendance matters.”

“Leaders have high expectations for pupils’ conduct,” inspectors said.

“Pupils are well looked after by the dedicated team of staff who care deeply about them. Pupils get to explore their talents, such as fishing, golf and gardening, with staff who share the same interests.”

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Inspectors Laura James and Laurie Anderson visited the independent school in July.

Their report, published this week, rated the school as requiring improvement in three of the four categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.

They rated pupils’ personal development as good.

“Pastoral support is strong,” the report says.

“Pupils choose their own mentors and learn to trust adults to help them manage and resolve conflicts, including instances of bullying. This helps them re-engage successfully into education, gaining the qualifications they need to access further study.

“Pupils value the specialist opportunities the school offers, such as metal work and woodturning.

“However, the school’s ambition for pupils’ achievement in some other subjects is not realised. Pupils do not learn consistently well across all curriculum subjects.”

Annual fees at the school, where there are 18 pupils on the roll, are £34,000.

Mr Gill added: “Our training schedule has addressed points raised. The school is in the process of introducing a more appropriate vocationally skills-based curriculum to reflect City and Guilds and Btec qualifications. This has included an overhaul of our existing and the introduction of additional assessment procedures. The emphasis was met very positively by the inspector.”