The fate of Malvern Hills Primary School will be decided at an open meeting next week.

Adjudicator Richard Lindley will listen to the views of parents, Worcestershire County Council and other interested parties before deciding whether the education authority was right to say it should close in August.

The meeting takes place at the school on Wednesday (February 1) at 4pm.

Headteacher Andrew Chilman took over in June after an Ofsted report identified serious weaknesses and placed the school in special measures. Since then, major improvements have been made and the school's progress was praised in a recent report.

The Malvern Gazette visited the school to find out why parents, governors and teachers are so sure it should stay open.

On a typical morning at Malvern Hills Primary, pupils were absorbed in their lessons.

In the nursery, children were cluster around a cage containing guinea pigs, reaching out to touch them as they scuttle around.

Children in Class One were learning maths, using drawings of buses and the interactive whiteboard to help them.

Class two were creating the story of the Boy who Cried Wolf using pictures, again on an interactive whiteboard, while the oldest children in Class Three were working on a poetry anthology using wireless laptops.

Mr Chilman, is following an Ofsted action plan to help remove the school from special measures and has also introduced several new initiatives. His ideas include rewarding good behaviour, introducing new technology and strengthening links with parents.

"Irrespective of any outcome, we've been working towards providing the very best for these children. They're entitled to that," he said.

School council member Sophie Bloomfield, aged nine, was happy to explain the school's new reward system, which led to children's good behaviour being highlighted in the latest inspection report.

Children complete commendation cards to get certificates, there is a star of the day system "for someone who's been good", and pupils can work towards golden time, when they can pick their choice of activity.

Other new schemes introduced recently include more swimming lessons for the high percentage of non-swimmers and improved facilities. A new outdoor classroom is in regular use and the school's library is reopening next month after refurbishment.

Mr Chilman has strengthened relationships with parents and the school is now running family learning classes for parents to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

Dinah Sage, chairman of governors, urged local people to come along to Wednesday's meeting.

"We're hoping anyone interested in keeping the school open, not just parents, will come along and have their say. Its an open meeting and anyone can speak," she said.