Teachers, parents and pupils are celebrating after an Oxford school was taken out of special measures ahead of schedule by Government inspectors.

Headteacher Sally Wheatley and some of the pupils celebrate

Speedwell First School, in Littlemore, was deemed to be failing in June 2001.

Ofsted inspectors found teachers and governors were too preoccupied by their hostility to the conversion of Speedwell into a primary as part of the re-organisation of schools in Oxford.

School managers were told Speedwell lacked a clear educational direction and purpose.

It was expected the school would not be able to come off special measures for 18 months. But impressive recent results in Key Stage tests, the quality of children's work, and improved standards in lessons convinced Ofsted that Speedwell was ready to move on earlier than predicted.

Headteacher Sally Wheatley said: "It's a very difficult thing for staff when a school is put on special measures. Everybody had to consider what they wanted to do as professionals, and the first job was to work together and prepare for the future of the school.

"We weren't expecting to come out until Easter.

"Most of the staff are thrilled to come out early, and that's because they are totally committed to this school.

"The school had always had a good reputation and now that has been fully restored we can move onwards and upwards with tremendous optimism."

The county council's executive member for schools, Tony Crabbe, praised the work of staff.

He said: "It is heart-warming to see the way people at the school have worked as a team to reverse what happened.

"Everyone associated with the school should feel a real sense of pride."