A special school is being used as a national showcase for others that want to build state-of-the-art facilities for vulnerable pupils.

Forest Way School in Coalville hosted a meeting for more than 80 delegates from all over England last week.

The school, which this year won a TES Schools Award for outstanding building, was built at a cost of pound;10 million and caters for 138 SEN pupils aged three to 19.

The interior reflects its forest setting: it has a woodland glade with the sound of water, leaves and birdsong, and a “river” runs through the main corridor floor.

Ivan Ould, North West Leicestershire District Council cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Forest Way is a fine example of schooling for children in the 21st century and it is only right that we share this remarkable achievement with colleagues from other authorities.”