Peers School at Littlemore, Oxford, has come a long way in a short time.

In October 2005, it was put on special measures after failing an Ofsted inspection on the grounds of bad behaviour, poor attendance, inadequate teaching and low standards.

But 2007 has seen a dramatic turn in its fortunes.

In January, it was taken out of special measures.

Earlier this month, we revealed plans by the school to set up a football academy in partnership with Oxford United.

Now it looks increasingly likely that the school will become a new-style academy for all subjects, with funding from the Oxford diocese and Oxford Brookes University.

Significantly, the project, although still in its early stages, is being supported by the Government.

As Peers School headteacher Lorna Caldicott says, if done well, many people stand to benefit, with potentially huge improvements in the standards of education and the rate of achievement.

There is some way to go before the whole jigsaw is in place, but these are indeed exciting times for all those connected with education in this part of the city.