Rose Hill Primary School in Oxford has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons lately.

Teaching took a backseat as the row raged over halal meat being served to pupils at school dinners, without parents being told.

However, the school now has the chance to put education firmly back on the agenda as it waits to hear whether it has won Government clearance to start afresh.

The school was put on special measures by Ofsted inspectors 13 months ago, but now has the backing of parents, the headteacher and Oxfordshire County Council in its bid for 'Fresh Start' status.

This will give the school the opportunity to shake off the problems of the past and herald a new beginning.

Under the Government's initiative, money would be pumped in to give the school a new look.

The Fresh Start scheme will create a few worries.

Staff, for example, have to re-apply for their jobs, creating uncertainty among them, and outside organisations can bid to run schools, unless exemption is granted.

There may also be arguments over a possible change in the name of the school.

But these concerns should not override the opportunities.

The school has struggled in the past but, with support from the community and a fair wind behind it, it can look forward to a brighter future.