WITH banners and drums playing, pupils at Lowick's tiny village primary defiantly heralded a new era at their school as it was reopened as an independent'.

After losing a gruelling three-year battle with Cumbria County Council to save Lowick as a state school, it began life as an independent with a rousing opening parade on Wednesday.

Parents gave the new venture their crucial vote of confidence and, as the bell rang for the first classes of the autumn term, the new intake numbered 16 pupils just three down on last term's tally.

"It feels marvellous to be here," said an emotional Shirley Rainbow, Lowick's long-standing head teacher. "It's a delight and a pleasure to be focusing on the children and concentrating on building-up the school. We don't need to fight now."

As well as pupils, the fledgling school also has tables, chairs and books after an 11thhour deal with CCC on Tuesday to buy them all for £1,400.

School supporters are now working hard to ensure Lowick New School is financially viable without the state backing that was finally withdrawn because of its declining pupil numbers and CCC's need to cut spare school places. There is a grant of £21,000 in the bank from the Cooperative Action Foundation, but it needs more long-term support.

"We know we are all right for this term and we are going to use this term to get funding in place for next term and those to come," said Miss Rainbow. "Now we are independent we can explore funding opportunities we didn't have before.

"I'm 100 per cent confident this school will work. We have got so far already. I just have to look around at the team and see their determination. We are brimming with enthusiasm."

The school is reducing its costs and Miss Rainbow, fellow teacher Adrianne Mellor, its two part-time school secretaries and even the cleaner have agreed to work as unpaid volunteers for the first term.

A network of Lowick Guardians' has been set up, donating both cash and time, and there is a Lowick Lottery with half the £1-a-week ticket price going to the school. There are plans for more money-spinning community ventures like that which saw the school press a CD with former-pupil Rob Ellis, a song-writer who penned a tune for Madonna's wedding. Use of school buildings for community classes will also earn money.

And, despite all the uncertainty over Lowick's future, the turnout for Wednesday's opening proved it has fervent support from the community.

Parent Carole Hart, of Kirkby-in-Furness, said confidence in Miss Rainbow meant she was happy for her four-and-a-half-year-old son Owen to start at Lowick this term.

"I'm very content that regardless of the school's situation with the education authority, this is the right place. Children from smaller schools are meant to be happy and successful in the future."

Ulverston artist Hannah Fox is also supporting Lowick in the hope it will still be there next September for her son Reuben. "It's going to be difficult to make it work, I know that, but there is a strong bed of parental support and governors who are committed to making it work and that says a lot about the school."

Unlike many of their peers dragging themselves back to class this week, Lowick's pupils were also visibly relieved to see their school was still there.

"I didn't want it to get closed," said nine-year-old James Willis of Blawith. "I'm very happy that they have opened it again."

n Anyone who can offer support to Lowick or would like to take part in the Lowick Lottery should contact the school on 01229-885256 or e-mail admin@lowickschool.cumbria.sch.uk.