A SCHOOL which went into meltdown after a disastrous merger, but then staged an astonishing turnround, has won praise from the highest source - the Prime Minister.

Government inspectors have now decided that Harrop Fold High in Little Hulton, Salford, is no longer a failing school.

In 15 months, the number of lessons considered to be satisfactory or better has jumped from an appalling 38 per cent to 94 per cent.

And Tony Blair has sent a personal message of congratulations to the staff and pupils.

Earlier this year, campaigning parents used Freedom of Information laws to obtain secret reports detailing the shocking conditions at the school.

Pupils were out of control, teaching standards "alarmingly poor" and buildings filthy, rat-infested and dangerous. The school was deemed to be "intimidating and unsafe".

But it is now set for a new era after making rapid progress. A new school building is to go up on its existing playing fields which should open in September, 2008.

A key factor has been the appointment of "super head" Antony Edkins, who was head-hunted after working wonders at a poorly-performing Brighton school.

Harrop Fold was placed in "special measures" in May, 2003, and its head, who had been recruited to improve the school, resigned.

Mr Edkins started in September, 2004, and since then Ofsted inspectors have returned to the school seven times to check on progress. Now they have decided that the school should come out of special measures.

Success

Mr Edkins, whose contract has been extended from three to five years, said: "This is not a single-person show. This is evidence of teamwork. There are 1,200 pieces in this jigsaw and they have all had to fit together.

"Harrop Fold's path to recovery has been long, arduous and at times debilitating. It is not disputed that we started from an extremely low base.

"However, with one united voice, the staff, students, local authority officers, parents and community have sought to secure a success which we should be proud of."

Inspectors have noted that Mr Edkins has provided "very good, high profile leadership", which has meant a "growing confidence in the school is beginning to emerge". Mr Blair sent his message via Worsley MP Barbara Keeley, who has visited the school.

It said: "Congratulations on your achievement - that's what it is all about." Mrs Keeley said: "I have been impressed with the high standards of leadership of the teaching team at Harrop Fold.

"There are also good standards of discipline and politeness from the pupils, which have been evident whenever I have visited.

"With financial approval for a new building on a single site, the future is looking very bright for Harrop Fold."

The controversial merger of Joseph Eastham High and Little Hulton Community High created the school in September, 2001. But it soon hit trouble and has since had to operate from two sites.