AN INFANTS' school which beat a closure threat is today celebrating the appointment of a new headteacher.

Parents and staff successfully battled to keep the 42-pupil Grove school on Portland open after county officials recommended closure in a shake-up of the island's primary schools.

Now acting head Jane Hurdiss has received confirmation of her

permanent appointment in the post and she has announced details of a relaunch for the Grove.

A comprehensive building action plan is in hand which involves updating and refurbishing the Victorian school to include the reopening of an upstairs school hall and a resources room which is currently being redecorated with help from community services.

There are also plans to brighten up the rather stark playground by laying some grass, creating a garden, supplying new play equipment and fixing brightly coloured steel figures to the walls.

The children have been involved in the design of these and in the new school logo, 'Growing Together' which will form part of a new mosaic school sign and this work is under the direction of artist, Brendan Sarsfield.

Mrs Hurdiss said: "All our energies are now being put into use, not only in keeping open but in growing into a school with high standards that the whole community can be proud of.

"All of this takes time, money and, most of all, commitment and commitment is not something we are short of here at the Grove where we have a strong and supportive community all working together for the children."

South Dorset MP Ian Bruce was among those present at a celebration to welcome the school's positive new outlook and he said: "I am absolutely delighted to see the wonderful success that Grove Infants School has become since the whole community persuaded the county council to keep it open."

"I understand that parents are now queuing up to have their children enrolled here and I will certainly support any move for an expansion of pupil places."

Mrs Hurdiss added: "We are all very excited about the bright future ahead of us."