Primary school pupils have written to the Telegraph & Argus in a last-ditch bid to save their school.

As exclusively reported in the T&A earlier this week, Usher Street School will close in July next year after education bosses failed to turn its fortunes around.

The 156-pupil school, off Wakefield Road, Bradford, has been under the scrutiny of Ofsted inspectors longer than any other in the country and has been in special measures for the past three years.

However proud pupils are up in arms at the decision, claiming the school is on the up after sustained hard work from a team of dedicated staff.

Year five pupil Annam Kiani, ten, of Flockton Grove, Bowling, said: "Our school isn't the worst in the country.

"Since new headteacher Mr Holland has come, a lot has changed.

"Pupils' behaviour is getting much better and there are a lot of people listening and less people disturbing our lessons. There's also a new behaviour system.

"Our school day is now 20 minutes longer and we have more lessons which means more time to learn.

"I am getting better at lots of things like sports, writing, reading and French.

"I do not think our school is the worst in the country and I hope you agree with me."

In spring this year, education bosses appointed Kevin Holland, headteacher of Green Lane Primary, Manningham, to act as executive head at Usher Street in a bid to bring it out of special measures.

He said he was proud of the efforts made by staff since then, with the school expected to show marked improvements during a forthcoming Ofsted inspection.

Eileen Thompson, head of governors at the school, said staff and pupils had experienced a "difficult time".

She said: "Considering that the school has been under threat of closure for as long as it has the staff have been very professional in the delivery of their lessons. They have performed admirably. Hats off to them for carrying on.

"It's been a very difficult time for the last 18 to 24 months but the school has really improved since May.

"The staff were seeing light at the end of the tunnel and the closure of the school has come as a big shock and disappointment."

As yet Bradford Council does not know where the youngsters will be transferred when it closes at the end of the summer term next year.

e-mail: dan.webber @bradford.newsquest.co.uk