More than 50 parents, staff and pupils have been getting out rollers and paint-brushes to make a "positive statement" about the future of a middle school.

Classrooms at Frideswide Middle School, Marston Ferry Road, North Oxford, are being redecorated in vibrant colours, voted for by schoolchildren.

As part of the shake-up to education in Oxfordshire, the school will close in three years' time, and the buildings will become part of nearby Cherwell Secondary School.

But parents, pupils and teachers have embarked on a rolling programme of decoration, which will eventually see about half the school emblazoned in a bright colour scheme, including yellows and purples.

Kevin Myhill, deputy head of the school, said: "It's a very clear statement of the fact that the school is thriving.

"The teachers and pupils are making a statement that it is going to be three excellent years.

"It's energising. It's joyful. It's positive. I think the children feel privileged.

"They feel that they matter - it's because of the effort that has been put in by all concerned."

The home-school partnership has been the driving force behind the redecoration, with parents supplying paint and rolling up their sleeves.

The need for a new look was first recognised by Tess Cockburn, whose triplets started attending Frideswide last September. She asked parents and staff how children could best perform in surroundings painted the colour of "donkey". Two classrooms were painted over the weekend of January 20 and 21, and it is planned to paint two more during half-term, as well as corridors.

Mr Myhill added: "There's a tremendous team spirit at the school and it's amazing to see how the parents get behind us.

"It's an extremely strong partnership as a teacher it's highly appreciated."