THE headteacher of a primary school which needs help to get out of special measures is confident that a partnership with another school will make the extra difference.

Peter Fenton, headteacher of the Oldhams Primary School in Astley Bridge, was keen to enlist the support of Red Lane Primary School in a bid to turn around his school's fortunes.

Oldhams Primary School should have come out of special measures three years ago, but despite being granted an extended deadline of an extra two terms, education chiefs believed the school still needed more support.

Mr Fenton, who was appointed last April, had already identified Red Lane Primary in Breightmet as a likely candidate to help out his team of staff, and the two primaries will be working in partnership together from September.

Bolton's Local Education Authority has also put together a team of trouble shooting staff to take more control over Oldhams' finances and personnel.

A teacher from Red Lane will be based at Oldhams during the autumn term and will help to teach the younger pupils as well as support curriculum development.

Both Mr Fenton's and the LEA's action plans on how to make the final effort to get out of special measures will be presented to the governing body in September.

Mr Fenton, who was appointed last April, said: "I had identified Red Lane as a good school for us to work with because of its beacon status.

"We want to develop a partnership with the school and welcome their help."

The headteacher pointed to the school's recent Key Stage One and Two results as proof of the gradual improvement at Oldhams.

Deputy director of education, Brian Shaw, said: "An action plan will be implemented between September and the following March before it is reviewed and by August 2003 the school will hopefully be out of special measures."