A SCHOOL that was dubbed the worst in England has won praise from the Prime Minister after completing an astonishing turnaround.

Troubled Harrop Fold School in Little Hulton was declared a failing school in 2003 by government inspectors appalled by the school's standards of teaching and pupil behaviour.

In July 2004, inspectors said just 38 per cent of lessons were considered satisfactory or better - but the current level is 94 per cent, which spells a vast improvement.

And Tony Blair has sent a message reading: "Congratulations on your achievement - that's what it is all about."

A key factor in the school's changing fortunes was the appointment of "super-head" Antony Edkins.

Mr Edkins said he was close to tears last week on learning the school was out of "special measures", the title given to failing schools.

He said: "When I found out from the inspectors we were out of special measures I was fighting back tears. It has been such an emotional, challenging time. The inspectors said the school had made remarkable, rapid improvements.

"I held a briefing with the staff to tell them. There was cheering and people were clapping and hugging. It has been a case of cometh the hour cometh the team. Everybody takes the credit and my thanks go to the staff, pupils and parents for their support."

Harrop Fold was formed in September 2001, following the controversial amalgamation of Joseph Eastham High School in Walkden and Little Hulton Community School.

During the year before Mr Edkins's appointment there were a shocking 382 suspensions from the school and 24 pupils expelled. In the proceeding 12 months, there were 42 suspensions and four expulsions.

For Mr Edkins, whose three-year contract was recently extended to five years, receiving praise from the Prime Minister was the icing on the cake.

Mr Edkins said: "Barbara Keeley, our Worsley MP, told Mr Blair how well the school had done. And then when we received his congratulations we were thrilled.

"I don't think my contribution to the school's improvements was that significant but I feel that I have learned so much since starting here. There were 1,200 pieces fitting together in the jigsaw here. It wasn't a one man show."

By 2008 Harrop Fold should be operating from a new purpose-built school on its current site off Hulton Lane, Walkden.