FAIRFIELD Primary School in Worcester has received a resounding endorsement in its attempts to improve the lives of its pupils.

The school, in Brickfields, Worcester, reopened four terms ago under the Government's Fresh Start initiative, replacing the failing Elbury Mount.

Because it is a Fresh Start school, Government inspectors visit the school to monitor progress every year for the first three years.

Following an inspection this month, the school was told it was making great steps forward. The inspectors said: "Standards are rising and the pupils' achievement is improving rapidly.

"The results in the national tests in 2005 were much better than in previous years and many more pupils achieved the standards of which they were capable.

"Relationships between members of the school community are productive and the school continues to be the happy and orderly community described by inspectors after the last monitoring inspection."

The report added that no pupil had been expelled in a year.

It went on: "Considerable effort has been put into tackling the pupils' casual attitudes to learning.

"The headteacher provides strong but thoughtful leadership and he is well supported by capable senior managers.

"They have achieved much over the last year: teaching is generally good, behaviour is at least satisfactory, relationships with parents and the wider community are productive and achievement is rising rapidly."

Headteacher Alex Wall said he was delighted with the report. "It's quite remarkable to have made this improvement within four terms. Our priority continues to be to improve pupils' writing, and we are doing that.

"It is crucial that parents have confidence in us and that's our strength - their continued support."