A Dundee school for pupils with special support needs has made “significant progress” but education chiefs have demanded further improvement.
Significant failings were identified at Kingspark School following a 2014 inspection, leading to calls for action by some parents.
A follow-up investigation has found it is quickly improving, leading to hopes it will soon put the ghosts of past, unpleasant allegations behind it.
Nonetheless, Education Scotland said it is still “too early” to see the full impact positive changes have made on the learning and progress of children and young adults.
Inspectors said standards of learning experience were still “too variable” and aspects of the curriculum need “further development”.
Crucially, however, inspectors did find that the school had taken decisive action to improve how it manages the challenging behaviour of a few children and young people.
They said the number of incidents where one child had hurt another child had “significantly reduced”, with senior staff working to make further improvements.
Councillor Stewart Hunter, Dundee City Council education convener, said he is pleased to see to see the progress being made recognised by inspectors and the “hard work” of staff acknowledged.
He pledged to ensure that there are “continued efforts” to make the school even better.
“The school and officers of the council are aware that we have still to see the full impact of improvements,” he said.
“The involvement of parents and families is crucial and they are helping to shape the future of the school.”
In a report released by Education Scotland, reporters describe young people at the school as “happy and settled”.
The quality of learning is said to have “significantly improved” and the school is also said to have strong links to the surrounding community.
Pupils enjoy and benefit from learning experiences in the community such as riding, shopping and visiting places of interest, together with “improved opportunities for work experience”.
Staff have, however, been told that they must do more to ensure that learning is tailored to the needs of individual pupils and ensure that best practice is shared across the school.
Inspectors will return within 12 months to monitor progress at Kingspark.
Mr Hunter added: “Kingspark is a centre of excellence and the school thoroughly deserved its recent re-accreditation by the National Autistic Society following a specialist review.
“This shows that staff throughout the school have a consistent understanding of autism and have the skills and knowledge to make a positive difference to young people with autism.
“I am sure that everyone at Kingspark is focused on taking the school forward.”