A primary school has won a reprieve after it was considered for closure.

Education Bradford has decided not to close Usher Street Primary at the end of August but aims to bring in top-quality leadership to ensure improvement.

The current head teacher Karen Watts will leave the 189-pupil school, which has been in Special Measures since 2003, at the end of the school year.

John Gaskin, Education Bradford's managing director said options including closure at the end of August this year had been considered.

He said the school "has not delivered a satisfactory quality of education since being reported in 2001 as having serious weaknesses."

Education bosses looked at whether there were enough places in local schools to accommodate pupils, enough time to inform everyone who would be affected, consult with them and carry out the necessary planning.

Mr Gaskin said: "We decided that, while there are compelling reasons in terms of the quality of education currently provided, we were not in a position to offer pupils and parents clear alternatives if the school were to close at the end of August 2006.

"We have decided, therefore, that the right thing to do is to work with the staff and governors of the school to secure high quality leadership for September 2006 that will bring about rapid improvement, while also looking at viable alternatives for the long term future."

He apologised if rumours about closure had caused uncertainty.

Head teacher Mrs Watts said: "The school has moved on and is improving. Our expected results are going to be higher this summer than they have been the previous two years.

"Nothing official about school closure has come to the staff or myself.

"I know the parents would be upset if closure was considered because they are very loyal to the school."

But Bowling and Barkerend Councillor Mukhtar Ali said: "I do not want the school to close because this is a local school in the most deprived area.

"It would make it even more difficult for the children if they were dispersed to other schools.

"The school should be supported and so should the parents and the children for the children's future."

Parent governor Stephanie Bedford, whose two children go to the school, said: "I had no idea they were even considering closing the school.

"Even if it was being considered for closure we should have been informed because it affects our children's future.

"I would be heartbroken if it did close. Part of the reason I have not moved away from the area is because I do not want to disrupt my children's lives."

Patricia O'Flynn, of Barnard Road, East Bowling, who works at the school as a senior supervisor and who has an eight-year-old child there, said: "There is nothing wrong with the school. The teachers are great."

Elaine Gorman, 37, of Dalcross Road, has two children at the school. She said: "I live in West Bowling and if Usher Street did close I would be in a mess because it's difficult to get in a school in West Bowling."