A PRIMARY school is celebrating "a new beginning" after learning the spectre of special measures had been lifted.

St Ambrose's RC Primary School has been turned around in two years, thanks to the commitment and hard work of staff, the support of advisors, governors and parents and the enthusiasm of pupils, said delighted head teacher, Marie Yates.

The school, in Leswell Street, Kidderminster, hit its lowest point when it was placed in special measures by Ofsted inspectors in July, 2002. The inspectors ruled that poor leadership and management by senior staff and governors, a high turnover of staff and a resulting high number of temporary teachers had triggered falling attainment levels and poor behaviour among pupils.

An action plan to address all the issues raised, closely monitored by inspectors and with the support of advisors from Worcestershire County Council and the Archdiocese of Birmingham, was immediately put in place, said Mrs Yates.

"There were some major areas of concern and all of those have now been addressed.

"It has been an extremely stressful time, with termly inspections and regular assessments of teaching, but the school has improved beyond recognition," she said.

"The inspectors who visited praised the staff for the tremendous improvement which had taken place. They spoke of the team spirit, hard work and commitment of staff as well as the courteous behaviour and enthusiasm for learning of the pupils."

Mrs Yates took over as head in September last year, stepping in to replace two acting head teachers who had overseen improvements during 2002 and 2003.

Exam results at Key Stages One and Two are improving and pupil numbers are also rising, reflecting the growing confidence of the surrounding community, she said.

"I feel very confident that we shall continue to go from strength to strength, knowing that we have the full support of the parish and the community."

Chairman of the Governors, Paul Collins, congratulated Mrs Yates and staff for their dedication to the St Ambrose's cause.

The school is voluntary aided and currently has 187 pupils aged four to 11. Many of the pupils have a Roman Catholic background.

The celebrations to mark the lifting of special measures status coincided with the completion of a special art project at the school.

Children designed paintings to go on walls around the playground, which members of the school's Parents' Association lovingly created last weekend, adding a splash of colour to the area.