IT’S a triple whammy for Broadfield Specialist School.

During the inaugural Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards last year the school swept to victory in this category.

Since then, it has also been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – and they’ve retained their Schools Awards crown.

Head teacher Angela Banner said: “Our school is a fantastic place to work and a fantastic place to be.

“We are very honoured - thank you.”

The school caters for pupils with learning difficulties aged from 11-19 and offers a dizzying range of activities on top of the curriculum.

There are lunch clubs offering drama, sport and reading and several out-of-hours sessions teaching music, sport, trips out to restaurants and tourist attractions and a Rebound Club for wheelchair users where they experience free movement after being hoisted on to a trampoline.

Lee Bentley, services co-ordinator, said: “As well as offering our students a comprehensive education I feel our school is always changing, improving, and looking for new ways to stimulate and educate our young people.

“Our school doesn’t just fulfil what we need to do but is always looking for extra ways to give our students confidence and enrich their lives.”

They also offer a wide range of residential trips to help the youngsters build self-confidence and it’s often the first time the pupils have been away from home.

Recent trips include places as diverse as outward bound centres to a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Closer to home the youngsters are also involved with a host of community groups.

Mr Bentley said: “For the first time this year we have introduced a ‘house team’ programme to reward gestures of kindness and promote working as a team.

“We asked our students what the names of the ‘houses’ should be and were very proud when they decided they would like them to be named after soldiers in the Accrington Pals.”

Despite its success the school is always looking to the future, invests in new technology and has a music festival planned for July 20.

“Our school has had an amazing year with recognition from the Lancashire Telegraph and Ofsted but of course this is not what we think about on a daily basis.

“The needs and wellbeing of our students is paramount and their success in moving through the school and on to a successful adult life when they leave is our biggest achievement,” said Lee.

In a category sponsored by the North Lancs Training Group, the judges said the school offered a huge variety.

Darren Turner, managing director at Cartridge World, said: “The nomination highlights and pinpoints everything they do for the community and students. It’s very, very in-depth.”