A specialist Ipswich school supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs says pupils are thriving after opening earlier this year in the town centre.
Redstone Hall School, in Fore Street, welcomed its first students in February and provides education for up to 30 children aged between seven and 16.
Headteacher Tanya Fuller said many pupils had previously spent long periods out of education but had settled well into school life and were already making strong progress.
She said students had been building positive relationships with staff and classmates while engaging successfully with lessons, enrichment activities and the wider curriculum.
Ms Fuller said the school aimed to bring subjects to life through practical experiences, helping young people connect more closely with what they were learning in the classroom.
Pupils have taken part in local walks linked to geography lessons and recently visited Colchester Zoo to support science studies and broaden their understanding of animals and habitats.
Children have also helped transform garden areas at the school during enrichment sessions designed to encourage teamwork, confidence and responsibility outside traditional lessons.
Reward activities have included visits to cafes, comic book shops and Warhammer painting sessions, while students have also attended Goals as part of their physical education programme.
Ms Fuller said: "Overall, students feel safe and are happy with the relationships they have built. Parents have been happy with their progress in school so far.”
Before opening, Redstone Hall School was judged likely to meet all independent school standards by Ofsted inspectors, who praised its broad curriculum and therapeutic approach to supporting children with additional needs.
The independent special school forms part of Polaris Children’s Services and is based in a historic building in central Ipswich which has been adapted to create teaching spaces, reading areas and therapeutic learning environments.
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