By Roger Williams

GOVERNMENT inspectors have praised the strides taken by a Bolton primary school which dramatically escaped closure.

Oldhams County Primary in Astley Bridge has been under a "special measures" regime -- meaning it is regularly visited by Government inspectors -- since failing an Ofsted inspection in 1999.

Council plans to shut the Oldhams were overturned in June by Education Secretary David Blunkett.

But while an inspection team who visited the school last month were impressed at what they found, they stressed the need for stability if the Oldhams is to recover from the upheaval it has suffered.

Inspectors praised the "positive and forward-looking atmosphere" at the school, sense of teamwork and improved atmosphere and morale.

But they noted concerns about the long-term stability of the school until pupil numbers improve and a permanent head is appointed.

Acting headteacher Peter Charnock, who is on secondment from Chorley New Road Primary, said he has been astounded by the determination to turn the school around.

He said: "In July the staff, governors and parents were absolutely drained after the battle to keep the school open.

"What I've been impressed with is how they've come back and said we've won one battle and now we've got to prove our worth. They have really shown a positive attitude."

Mr Charnock believes plummeting pupil numbers, which saw the school roll drop by about 40 pupils, were caused by uncertainty over the school's future.

He said confidence in the school is being restored and was confident it would bring an resurgence in pupil numbers.

"I think it's a hangover from the threatened closure," said Mr Charnock. "When it was announced parents decided to move quickly to get places in neighbouring schools so the school obviously suffered quite a lot.

"Anybody who knows Oldhams estate knows it would be ruinous to the whole spirit of the estate if the school was to close.

"But I think we are making people aware that we are open and we are a force to be reckoned with."

A spokesman for the local education authority said: "We are very pleased with the progress the school is making at the moment."

Parents have been closely involved in initiatives at the Oldhams to promote a sense of community involvement.

They helped decorate the school's community room and even patrolled its grounds at night to stamp out vandalism.

The school is hoping to have an Internet-linked computer suite, complete with video conferencing facilities, installed next term.

Pupils could even be able to chat with villagers from Moshi, Tanzania, as part of a project about Africa.