SUCCESS stories are always welcome. But when a school which narrowly escaped closure and faces special measures faces a bright future, it is especially pleasing.

Oldhams County Primary School in Astley Bridge failed its Ofsted in 1999. It looked set to close, but the Government overturned the decision.

Instead, acting head Peter Charnock has helped turn it around. He puts the improvement down to teamwork, from staff, governors, parents and pupils. Now, Oldhams is set to welcome a new, permanent head.

At a time when education news is often doom and gloom, the Oldhams' example shines like a beacon to show that, even when schools have problems, this is not the end of the story.