The then college principal and another teacher at Donaldson's College in Edinburgh were charged by police in connection with claims that several pupils had been mistreated. The cases have still to be heard.

Now in its 150th year, Donaldson's is the oldest deaf school in the world still operating on its original site

The chief inspector of schools, Archie McGlynn, said the new principal, the school and the board of governors had made very good progress since concerns came to light in June last year.

The new principal, Janet Allan, welcomed the report and said all parents could be assured the new regime was a good foundation for further development work.

Information service launched

The school has been visited by Scotland's Education Minister Sam Galbraith, who launched a national information service and phone helpline for children with special educational needs.

Mr Galbraith commented: "I am pleased to congratulate the board of governors and staff of the school on the excellent progress they have made in implementing the main recommendations in the inspectors' report.

Sam Galbraith: "Parents need information"

"I am sure that the parents, and the authorities who send children to the school, will be greatly reassured by the progress the school has made."

The information service, called Enquire, is to be run by the organisation Children in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is giving it �621,00 over the next three years.

The project will offer a range of supports including a national helpline and training events for those working with families of a child with special needs.

As well as the phone-based assistance, the organisation will provide guides, publications, fact sheets and a video.

Mr Galbaith said: "Parents of children with SEN often need particular information and advice to allow them to take decisions about the education of their children.

"They value the assistance of independent non-statutory organisations with particular knowledge and expertise.

Emphasis on 'potential'

"Children and young persons themselves also require access to information and advice at different stages of their life and in different formats."

The present system for helping children with special needs implements recommendations of the Warnock Committee on the educational needs of handicapped children and young people.

It lays emphasis on the individual potential of children.

Wherever possible, children with special educational needs are integrated into ordinary schools, both grant-aided by central government and independent, and special classes within ordinary schools.

Education authorities are required to respond to reasonable requests for independent special schools and to send children with special needs to schools outside of Scotland, if appropriate provision is not available within the country.