A primary school at the heart of a housing estate which used to resemble a war zone is looking forward to a brighter future now a multi-million pound rejuvenation scheme is starting to pay dividends. Steve Parsley reports

THE view from the windows of Carnagill Primary School was not a pretty one a few years ago. Many of the houses which surround the grounds were boarded up; overgrown gardens, derelict garages filled with rubbish and roads riddled with potholes reflecting years of neglect. The old married quarters on the western edge of Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire had become surplus to Army requirements and, as families moved away on other military postings, the homes they left behind stayed empty.

The roll at Carnagill school reflected the malaise, dropping from 223 in 1997 to just 79 last year. Teachers were asked to volunteer for redundancy, grants for new equipment became harder to get and the future looked anything but bright.

Today, it's a different story. Corridors throughout the school are freshly painted in vibrant colours, there are new carpets on the floor - and a new mood of optimism in the staff room, bolstered by four new teachers who have joined the team. Headmaster Chris Hill is keen to give credit to a partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, which he insists was always there with support and advice through the difficult times. However, the view from the window today says just as much about the school's remarkable recovery. Many of the homes which surround the school are occupied by new families who have snapped up properties fully refurbished by Annington Homes, which acquired 57,000 Army quarters from the MoD in a deal worth £1.6bn in 1997. The Catterick properties were among 2,000 subsequently put on the open market last year - and, already, a new community is taking root.

"As Annington has moved around the estate refurbishing and then selling properties, it has lifted the appearance of the area - and the morale,'' says Mr Hill. Both Forces and civilian families have bought homes so the school can also claim it is teaching children from a true cross-section of society, with parents from all walks of life also playing a part in its affairs. Mr Hill says: "We raised £800 at our summer fair last year, which we invested in a summer pergola, which Annington has added to, supplying planters and turf.''

With extra pupils swelling the school's numbers, it has also benefited from a grant for a new computer suite while there are plans to restock the library over the summer, as well as adding to the adventure play equipment in the grounds.

"Annington's work in the area has been a catalyst which has helped with our rejuvenation,'' says Mr Hill. "Our extra-curricular activities are also increasing; we now have classes for gymnastics and badminton, as well as a recorder group and a craft class.''

The company has also installed new school gates to improve security while there is also talk of an improved wildlife area, which will include a nature trail. The children will be encouraged to play a part in deciding which species the school should encourage - decisions which may be taken by a "council" on which a number of pupils serve.

Annington's regional sales manager, Anita Brown, points out the company - the largest owner of residential property in the UK - is essentially in business to sell houses. However, she admits she finds the burgeoning sense of community spirit on the new-look estate rewarding. "When the sales office first opened everywhere looked neat and tidy -- and it still looks like that today,'' she says. "People who have bought these homes seem to be really proud of them and it is really nice to go back and see just how well they have been cared for.''