A SCHOOL facing closure has received a positive report from Government inspectors.

In the new report, Malvern Hills Primary is described as a school where "children's laughter is heard" and where experienced staff are finding imaginative ways to engage pupils and restore academic standards.

The school was placed in special measures after an April Ofsted inspection, but inspectors checking its progress in November found a marked improvement.

The earlier report said the school offered poor quality, ineffective education, low academic standards and had large numbers of pupils under achieving.

However, the latest report says that the school is making good progress, that pupils are receiving a much-improved educational experience and that the school has the capacity to sustain the improvements.

Academic standards were said to be below average overall but pupils, even those with learning difficulties, were making satisfactory progress.

Chairman of governors Dinah Sage said she was pleased that the hard work of the staff and pupils had been recognised by inspectors.

"It's a boost for staff and we're hoping the school will be out of special measures by the end of the year," she said.

Former headteacher Gill Samuels resigned after the school was placed in special measures. Since then, acting headteacher Andy Chilman and new staff have been working to turn the school around.

Parents at the school campaigned to keep the school open when the council decided to close it due to falling pupil numbers and poor performance.

Objections meant the decision was taken to the independent Schools Organisation Committee, which ruled that the council did not use the proper procedures when deciding to close the school.

An independent adjudicator is due to make the final decision on whether the school should close in August within the next few weeks.