Ofsted inspectors praised a school that used a planetarium dome to teach all children about the stars as a place where pupils can "thrive".
Lime Academy Ravensbourne, in Neave Crescent, Harold Hill, continues to be rated a 'good' school after a visit from inspectors on June 11 and 12.
This was the first ungraded inspection - which confirms that a school remains good - since the education watch first gave the school its second-highest rating in January 2019.
In a report published on July 2, the inspection team, led by Lisa Strong, praised a day in which leaders brought an immersive planetarium dome to the school so all pupils could take join in learning about the skies.
Other activities include outings to local theatres, horse riding and swimming and using clay and painting for children to express their feelings.
Inspectors said pupils are "excited" to be in school and are looked after by "caring and committed staff".
Headteacher Andy Smith said the staff deserve a 'huge credit' for the rating (Image: Lime Academy Ravensbourne)
The Ofsted report said: "The school is a calm and orderly place in which pupils can thrive.
"When pupils struggle to regulate their behaviour, staff use appropriate strategies to manage this well.
"All staff share high expectations for pupils to be as independent as possible."
Inspectors commented on the active role parents play in the school community, who are able to join coffee mornings to learn about the school's use of occupational therapy.
Pupils get to take part in lots of different activities to encourage independence (Image: Lime Academy Ravensbourne)
This sort of involvement means that parents are "effusive" in their praise of the school.
Lime Academy Ravensbourne admits pupils from 2 to 19 years old and caters for a range of special educational needs and disabilities with a "highly personalised" curriculum.
For instance, pupils follow a curriculum "pathway" but can progress to a more advanced one if they are ready.
Activities are also adapted to suit "pupils' needs and interests", like the parts of the "my creativity" curriculum, where pupils can express themselves in their chosen medium of clay or paint.
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However, inspectors also said: "In a few subjects, the curriculum is not broken down into the smallest steps of learning.
"This slows pupils’ progress towards meeting short and long-term goals in these strands."
Despite this, the report said that students at the Harold Hill school are overall "well prepared for adulthood", with different activities to encourage independence across the age groups.
Ofsted inspectors said pupils thrive at the Harold Hill school (Image: Lime Academy Ravensbourne)
Younger pupils get to take part in activities like sensory cooking, while older pupils can take one of the school's therapy dogs for a walk.
Headteacher Andy Smith said the staff deserve "huge credit" for maintaining the 'good' rating.
He said: "When I took on the role of headteacher in September 2022, the school had gone through a turbulent time and was in serious need of a lick of paint both metaphorically and physically.
Staff with a pupil at Lime Academy Ravensbourne (Image: Lime Academy Ravensbourne)
"It has been a fantastic journey developing the school over the past two years with the support of Lime Trust.
"All the staff have worked tremendously hard and deserve huge credit in what the have done to maintain our 'good' grading.
Mr Smith added: "We are also delighted at the ever growing and deepening relationship we have with our parents who have also supported the work we have done."
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