A SCHOOL is looking forward to a good New Year after being removed from the special measures list.

Last month, The Northern Echo reported that Rise Carr Primary School, Darlington, had been given a glowing report by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education.

The school had been threatened with closure following criticism of its leadership and direction after an inspection in 1999, but it has turned the situation around.

Headteacher Tony Kemp this week received a detailed copy of the report, which highlighted the quality of teaching in the nursery and said the majority of pupils behaved well, formed good relationships and tried hard with their work.

He said: "The staff and pupils are delighted. We are out of serious weaknesses, but we still have work to do. We are now satisfactory, but we want to be excellent.

"Our links with parents and the community was praised, and so was our nursery, which is the foundation of school life. The children are being given a good start."

The school has another reason to celebrate. The Key Stage Two pupils received the best results the school has ever had.

The headteacher, his deputy and senior management, are working together to implement initiatives to improve the school further.