Ofsted inspectors raise concerns over the school’s current site.

MILL WATER School in Honiton has been downgraded to ‘satisfactory’ during a recent Ofsted inspection.

The special needs school, which is based in Honiton Bottom Road, was given the new rating in a report published last week.

The school had previously achieved a good rating in 2009.

In the report inspectors said: “This is a satisfactory school. It provides a sound education for its pupils.

“The school has some strengths, particularly in the good quality of care, guidance and support it provides for its pupils.”

They also said that pupils “contribute well to the school and regularly work in the community.

“Teaching is satisfactory, with particular strengths in the positive relationships, the good teaching of English and excellent teaching of music.”

Pupils were praised for their good behaviour and teachers were thought to manage behaviour well.

Areas of improvement highlighted during the inspection, included increasing the use of teaching assistants and further improvements to how pupils progress is assessed.

The report said there were “limited opportunities” for pupils to be involved in their own assessment and make choices about their activities.

Concerns were also flagged up regarding the current site, and inspectors said: “The accommodation lacks space for practical subjects such as science.

“Because classrooms are very small, a few pupils with autism spectrum disorders with challenging behaviours cannot work with their peers.”

The school is still in talks about a possible move to a site at Bicton College after its current building was deemed unsuitable.

Honiton Town Council was due to hold talks last week to discuss the controversial move.