By John Roberts The Ridings School in Halifax, gained national notoriety in the 1990s because of classroom violence and poor standards and has twice been placed in special measures.A decision to close the school at the end of this academic year has already been taken by education bosses at Calderdale Council who are also considering opening a new academy to serve North HalifaxHowever, as the Yorkshire Post revealed last week, the latest inspection report by Ofsted has brought the school out of special measures and praised the Ridings for the progress pupils make between the ages of 11 and 16.The report which is due to be published next week says: "The Ridings has been transformed and is now providing a good education for the students.

The Ridings School in Halifax, which became infamous in the 1990s for poor pupil behaviour and standards, saw the rate of pupils achieving five A to C passes increase from 20 per cent last year to 64 per cent.However Calderdale Council has already decided to close the school next year and is no longer admitting pupils.

THE Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether a Halifax man should face charges over allegations of making false statements to obtain proxy votes for this year's local elections in Calderdale.

UP TO 400 people could join a demonstration in Rastrick today over the proposed axeing of the town health centre and the recent loss of bus services, organisers claimed last night Calderdale councillor Paul Rogan (English Democrats, Rastrick) said residents were furious at plans to shut the centre and centralise services at a proposed new Brighouse Health Centre at Birds Royd Lane, Brighouse.

THE mother of a little boy who was knocked down and killed by a car returned to the spot yesterday to demand action on a speed reduction campaign.