Side by Side, the independent special school in Hackney, has impressed Ofsted inspectors, earning an outstanding grade in four out of six areas.

Overall, the school was rated good — as it was on its last inspection four years ago.

The school, which has 79 pupils aged from two to 19, offered them “the highest quality of care and support” and a “suitably broad and ambitious curriculum”.

Behaviour was managed sensitively and learning programmes were “especially rich and aspirational”, inspectors found.

The school “changes pupils’ lives for the better”, Ofsted said. “It ensures that every pupil, from the little ones to the oldest students, are treated as individuals.”

While the overall curriculum was strong, a few areas needed to be better — not all staff had been trained to use a new phonics programme to best effect.

Its new building would be suitable to take 150 pupils, Ofsted said.

Side by Side’s headteacher Gerald Lebrett said, “We are absolutely delighted to have received Ofsted’s recent report, which recognises all our staff’s dedication to proving the highest-quality education and support to each and every one of our pupils.

“Side by Side remains the only DfE [Department for Education] registered special school offering places for two to 19-year-olds within Stamford Hill’s Jewish community, and with the community’s large growth in recent times, we are proud to continue to serve this crucial need.”