PUPILS at a Farnworth primary school are jumping for joy now that their school has been taken out of special measures.

Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School, in Beech Avenue, has been making major reforms since it was placed in special measures in October, 2003.

Now, Linda Chadwick, the school's deputy head, has been appointed as the new head teacher to take the school onwards and upwards.

Mrs Chadwick will take charge on April 4, when she takes over from Simon Bramwell, the "super" head teacher who was appointed in January, 2004 to address the school's decline.

The school has been supported by an informal partnership with St George's CE School in Westhoughton - the school Mr Bramwell will be returning to next month.

The project has attracted the attention of the Department for Education and Skills, who are looking at the advantages of informal school partnerships.

The school is currently recruiting a new deputy head teacher.