Two years ago Tyneside's only autistic school was threatened with closure but today its future looks brighter than ever. Staff at Newcastle's Thomas Bewick school for autistic youngsters were slated over standards, leadership and lesson content and put on an emergency improvement plan. Now Government inspectors have congratulated them on radical improvements, the school has opened a new nursery and they will soon move into a brand new building. Pupils from three to 19, governors and staff celebrated the Ofsted success with a party. Headteacher Gustav MacLeod, who joined the school a year ago, said: "We're naturally delighted with our Ofsted report which reflects the fact there has been considerable improvement at the school since our last inspection. "If a school is put in special measures and fails to show adequate improvement after two years it may be it has to be closed so everyone has worked really hard to save this very special school. "We are now looking forward to moving to a new building which will enable us to develop as a centre of excellence." The school, which currently has 53 pupils, will be able to cater for up to 90 children in its new £5m unit. It will move from its current site on Hillhead Parkway to a new education village in West Denton in the next two years. Chair of governors Mary Jane Menzies said: "One of the biggest achievements for the school has been the development of an effective system to enable pupils to communicate better. "This has had a very positive effect on all aspects of pupils' learning and behaviour and its success has been recognised by Ofsted." The new Ofsted report said: "The positive ethos and determined leadership from the headteacher and senior team, effective teaching and good strategies to support communication have resulted in rising standards. The curriculum provides a wide range of good opportunities for pupils to learn; it is broad, balanced and relevant to their needs." Inspectors say the school must now work to give pupils the chance to work with youngsters in mainstream schools. Coun Nick Cott, executive member for Education, said: "The staff, pupils, parents and governors at Thomas Bewick School deserve full praise for their success in improving standards." Nicola Moxon of the National Autistic Society said: "We are delighted." | 
Northumberland
