THE first Fresh Start school in Worcestershire is celebrating after being given a clean bill of health by school inspectors - just nine months after it was closed down as a failing school.

Fairfield Community Primary School's headteacher, Alex Wall, said it had passed a "major hurdle" with a fantastic first-year report from Her Majesty's Inspectors, following a visit in February.

The results, which were released this week, could have rated the Brickfields school's progress as limited, satisfactory or good - but it was ranked as "good" overall.

"We couldn't have asked for a better response from everyone here," said an ecstatic Mr Wall.

"We had the top rank for quality of teaching, leadership and management, behaviour and morale among pupils - it was an outstanding report."

Worcester's newest school was also praised for the "infectious enthusiasm" and commitment of staff, governors' understanding of the school, its plan to raise pupil attainment and increasing attendance rates.

Fairfield Community Primary School opened in September on the site of Elbury Mount Primary, in Brickfields, which had been struggling for years with falling pupil numbers and plummeting standards.

The decision to close the school and re-open under a different name and new staff was not immediately popular with the community - but it has since won over its doubters.

"I am proud of the pupils and the support parents have given us," continued Mr Wall.

"Relationships continue to develop here and the inspector commented on what a happy school it is. That's fantastic to hear."

The only areas the inspector said could be improved were the standards and attitudes to learning of a small number of pupils.

The Fairfield Close primary will be upgraded with a new building next year, when it becomes part of a community centre due to open on the site in Easter 2006.

"The whole centre requires the school to be successful," said Andy Roberts, county council cabinet member for education and chairman of the Fairfield Board, which is overseeing the new complex.

"This report is great news for everyone in the community."