A SCHOOL that was threatened with closure has turned around its fortunes to become one of the best in the country.

Staff and pupils at the Grove Infants School on Portland have been commended by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools for reaching the top of the class.

The school is one of only 12 in Dorset to be labelled 'outstanding' and one of just two in the South West to have scooped the Ofsted accolade after being deemed inadequate.

Chief inspector of schools Christine Gilbert has said the turnaround is remarkable and nothing short of a transformation'.

Headteacher Jane Hurdiss took on the job in 2000 when the last inspection found the school had serious weaknesses.

She said: "It was my first headteaching job and I took it on as a major challenge.

"The whole school was grey, the hall was out of use and everything looked downtrodden.

"It had an effect on staff and pupils, so I really wanted to bring colour to the school."

Mrs Hurdiss rallied helpers, including volunteers from the Young Offender Institution.

She said: "It was a big community project.

"We've brightened the grounds and improved the school's environment."

Grove Infants was the first school in Dorset to open a foundation stage unit, taking on children as young as three.

Mrs Hurdiss said: "It's quite innovative and it's had a big impact on the children.

"It means they enter the reception class with more confidence and much more developed personal and social skills."

The school was threatened with closure just before Mrs Hurdiss took up the job.

She said: "Small schools have pressures with budgets and buildings but I believe in small schools and their value in the community."

Grove Infants was one of 12 Dorset schools labelled outstanding in this year's inspections.

Thanks to dedicated staff and supportive governors Westfield Technology College scored top marks in its last inspection in 1999 and has done it again this year. Headteacher Phil Silvester says the special school now has its sights set on a hat- trick when the inspectors return.

He said: "We expect very high standards of achievement and behaviour from our children and ourselves and long may that continue."

Wanda Bolton became headteacher at Southill Primary School in Weymouth two years ago, after working as deputy head.

She said: "It's a combination of hard-working staff, highly motivated children and really supportive parents. We're delighted. It's nice recognition and reward for the hard work that goes in."

The outstanding Dorset schools are: Grove Infants on Portland Southill Primary, Weymouth Westfield Technology College West Lulworth First School Bovington First School Trent Young's Primary School in Sherborne Colehill First School and St John's First School in Wimborne St Andrew's Primary in Fontmell Magna Emmanuel Middle School in Verwood Gillingham School Lilliput First School, Poole.