PROBLEMS associated with a Whitefield junior school have been "buried in the past" thanks to a merger with its neighbouring infant school.

Under the leadership of headteacher Mrs Val Eustice, the former Higher Lane Junior school has turned its fortunes round since being put on special measures two and a half years ago.

teaching of Years 3 to 6 is now described by Ofsted inspectors as "satisfactory, bordering on good", compared to a scathing attack in 2001 which revealed the school was "failing" to give pupils an acceptable standard of education.

As a result of the problems, the junior school was merged with the Beacon Infant School in Egerton Road in April, 2002, by Bury Council with the new title Higher Lane Primary School. The infant school headteacher Mrs Eustice took over responsibility for both departments.

Her leadership has been described as "excellent" with leading inspector Mr K Bardon stating: "The headteacher is highly committed to the success of the school and leads it with enthusiasm, determination and drive."

This has had a positive effect on school development and on the quality of education pupils receive, with the quality of teaching in infant classes particularly effective.

By Year 2, standards were high and pupils generally had very good attitudes to learning and behaved well.

There was still, however, room for improvement in the junior classes, but Mr Bardon made allowances for this by explaining more time was needed.

He stated: "This is the school's first inspection in its current form and insufficient time has elapsed since it opened in 2002 to judge improvements in its effectiveness. However, there are clear signs that the strengths of the former infant school are being built upon and that the problems of the former junior school are being buried in the past."

Mrs Eustice said: "Staff, governors and council officers have worked very hard to create a positive ethos and I am especially pleased that the high standards of pupil behaviour and cultural harmony have been recognised."

Coun Steve Perkins, executive member for lifelong learning, said: "Mrs Eustice, her staff, governors, parents and pupils are to be congratulated on their success with this first inspection. Where we do get problems we are determined to ensure they are tackled quickly and effectively and this inspection is evidence of how everyone working together has helped turn around primary school teaching."