A high-flying special school in Twickenham is handling the pressure of government underfunding, according to its headteacher in the wake of an “outstanding” Ofsted report.

Clarendon School, an academy that teaches children with moderate learning difficulties and additional complex needs such as autism, was recently given the best possible rating by inspectors.

John Kipps, executive headteacher at the school, and CEO of the Auriga Academy Trust, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted has again recognised Clarendon School and the Gateway Centre as being Outstanding.

“This is not just a tribute to our dedicated and caring staff team, but also to our amazing pupils and their parents.”

He also hailed the work teh school does with Richmond Council and Achieving for Children, the children’s services enterprise run by the authority jointly with Kingston Council.

And he pointed to the school’s recent expansion into a new site, as well as the upcoming opening of a 72-place school for children with speech, language and communication difficulties.

He said: “With the government’s underfunding of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) putting us under ever-increasing pressure, we remain committed to providing an outstanding local education to pupils with complex needs.”

Ofsted praised the school for having “high ambitions” for its students, resulting in “excellent progress in all classes and in all key stages”.

One parent told inspectors the school had “saved” their child, after previous bad experiences elsewhere.

Cllr Penny Frost, Richmond Council cabinet member for children’s services and schools said: “This is an excellent result for Clarendon School which is a credit to the pupils, staff, headteacher and the rest of the school community for the dedication and excellence with which they run the school.

“This result proves Clarendon is making a real difference in preparing their pupils to live full, successful lives.

“We know how lucky we are to live in a borough with schools like Clarendon which continue to provide top class education support to their pupils but they are doing so under increasing strain.

“That’s why the council has been vocal in its calls for the government to properly fund special needs education.

“And it’s why we have now launched a campaign to get everyone in the borough to write to the Secretary of State for Education and call on him to adequately fund SEND services in this borough.”