South West Devon MP Gary Streeter has blasted schools regulator Ofsted for 'stamping all over the ­professionalism of Dame Hannah Rogers' staff' by suspending the school's services.

The Dame Hannah Rogers School in Ivybridge, which specialises in the education and care of disabled ­students, reopened in September after it was closed for six weeks due to 'safeguarding issues'.

In August Ofsted closed the ­children services after the trust ­reported a potential safeguarding issue to Devon and Cornwall Police.

However, the investigations wrapped up earlier this month after the force found no evidence of any criminal or safeguarding problems.

Mr Streeter said Ofsted appeared to have overreacted due to recent national scandals, adding: 'It's been a frustrating experience to witness Hannahs being put under the cosh by Ofsted.

'The trigger for this, as we saw in the press, was a self-referral by Hannahs' management to the police. Their first thought, as ever, was the well-being of their clients.

'What a shock it was that, on the back of this, Ofsted decided to put on their hobnail boots and stamp all over the professionalism of the Hannahs staff and suspend its licence to operate, in part, while further investigation and discussions took place.

'It was never the view of the police – to whom I spoke – that ­closure was necessary. Police investigations have now been concluded with no further action being taken.'

'Ofsted appear to have overreacted and I think I know why.

'Recent national scandals involving the wicked abuse of vulnerable people in care have seared themselves deeply into the mindset of those charged with the oversight of our care institutions.

'Understandable – but it is surely not acceptable for professional ­people to make decisions to first of all protect themselves from future criticism rather than put the welfare of the vulnerable person first.

'I'm convinced that this is what happened this summer with Ofsted and Dame Hannahs.

'There were undoubtedly issues in the processes of Dame Hannahs that could have been improved upon – there always will be following any detailed scrutiny.

'But there was never any reason to close the place down. The pain and turbulence this decision caused to many disabled young people and their families cannot be overestimated.

'Needless to say, I'll be taking this matter further.

'But it is important, as Dame Hannahs now slowly gets back up to speed, that its place in the local ­community is firmly re-established.

'This is a great place full of brilliant people who do wonderful work and we should all be proud of it.'

An Ofsted spokesman said: 'The welfare and safeguarding of children and young people is of paramount importance.

'Ofsted takes concerns reported to it very seriously and will investigate them thoroughly.

'While we cannot comment on ­specific complaints or concerns, we can confirm that Ofsted lifted ­suspension on September 15 with some conditions and continues to monitor the school closely.'

Hannahs said it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.