The Bishop of Bradford helped pupils celebrate the launch of their new school.

The Right Reverend David James was special guest at the official opening of Westminster CofE Primary School in Undercliffe yesterday.

The school opened this term to replace St Augustine's CofE Community Primary School which had been condemned as failing by Government inspectors who placed it in special measures in 2002 because of poor leadership from the head teacher and governors.

Westminster School is based in the same building in Westminster Road, which was built two years ago, and serves the same community. It takes its new name from its address.

It has opened under the fresh-start scheme where a failing school is replaced with a new school, name and management.

Head teacher Robert Freeth, who started at the school in September, said: "This is a completely new school. It happens to be in the same buildings as St Augustine's but it is a different school with different staff."

Twelve of the 15 teachers were newly appointed last month.

Mr Freeth said: "We will focus on the children. We want to make them the most important thing at the school and from there raise their achievement."

The Bishop was joined by community members and parents for the official opening yesterday and was guest for the school assembly.

He said: "This is an exciting new start for the school. Talking to teachers and parents there is a new feeling of optimism.

"I am confident it will provide a satisfactory education because its teacher-pupil ratio is better than St Augustine's. St Augustine's was operating with a financial deficit which was a millstone around its neck but this has been wiped out."

The school will remain a state-run Bradford diocese school and be part of St Augustine's Church parish. It is open to pupils of all faiths. Most of its 314 pupils are of Asian origin.