The Merseyside community has responded in celebration after it was announced that a closure-threatened school is to stay open.
De La Salle Academy' s future was secured yesterday when government officials announced that the school has a bright future, following months of uncertainty.
The school had been issued with a Termination Warning Notice from the Department for Education (DfE) last summer after two consecutive inadequate Ofsted inspections.
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But now, government officials say De La Salle is set to team up with Dixons Academy Trust - a well-established multi-academy trust of 15 schools across the North West and West Yorkshire - which, according to its website, "specialises in challenging educational and social disadvantage in the north and for educational improvement".
Today, 'Save De La Salle' campaigners spoke of their happiness that the school is to remain open.
'This is really good news for the people of Croxteth and Norris Green'
Local Authority Governor at De La Salle Academy, and the school's former Chair of Governors, Father Gerry Proctor, MBE, said the development was fantastic news for the Liverpool 11 community.
In a statement sent to the ECHO, Father Gerry said today: "This is really good news for the people of Croxteth and Norris Green that a school with a great history will remain in their community and that the resources and buildings it has can continue to be enjoyed by everyone.
"We hope that the new management will continue to deliver the very best of the Lasallian educational tradition as we move into a new phase of operation. Staff and students will be hugely relieved."
After being told the good news, Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne sent a statement to the ECHO which reads: "It was wonderful to receive a call from government officials confirming that De La Salle Academy is staying open.
"Thank you to all involved in the campaign to keep the school open. I am extremely proud that as the MP for West Derby the political and community fight was successful."
Former pupils who attended the school backed a campaign to stop it closing, emphasising how the school's Lasallian spirit changed the course of their lives for the better.
In November, Mr Byrne organised a 'Save De La Salle Academy' community rally at Queen of Martyrs Club in Croxteth and there was a celebration to mark the 97th birthday of De La Salle School Academy in Croxteth.
Pupils past, present and future, joined with parents, school staff, former teachers, and members of the community to back the campaign to save the famous school.
At the rally, members of the gathering gave speeches which highlighted the importance of De La Salle in Liverpool.
'The school looks as good today as it ever has'
Daily Mirror columnist Brian Reade is a former De La Salle pupil and he attended November's rally. He is delighted the school has been saved and today he told the ECHO: "It's fantastic news that my old school has been saved and great credit must go to West Derby MP Ian Byrne for his dogged campaign to keep De La Salle open.
"After speaking to some of the parents and teachers I could see that the passion was there to keep alive this historic community asset.
"De La Salle has given a first class education to many thousands of Liverpool kids over the years and the school looks as good today as it ever has. It would have been a crying shame to lose it."
'A wonderful community'
Former De La Salle teacher Ms Sheelagh Trotter was also happy the school has been saved.
Ms Trotter today told the ECHO: "I am delighted to hear that the school will remain at the heart of this wonderful community.
"Those existing hard working and devoted staff currently working for the benefit of the boys will be able to offer an enhanced provision with additional resources and support."
'A thriving community institution with inspirational teachers'
And Guardian journalist Jamie Fahey, who attended De La Salle as a pupil in the 1980s, said "long live De La Salle".
Jamie told the ECHO: "It's a huge victory. One that reminds me of the many dramatic football matches I played on the Match of the Day pitch on Dwerryhouse field back in the eighties. A proper team effort. But it’s also a victory for common sense. It was a ludicrously short-sighted attempt to discard a century of history, tradition and educational culture.
"Credit to Ian Byrne MP for his dogged belief in the school and his role in helping parents, children and others retain what has been for generations a thriving community institution with inspirational teachers rooted in the heart of Croxteth.
"I'm also pleased to see plenty of ex-pupils join the campaign to recognise the vital role our formative education plays in our lives. Long live De La Salle."
BBC Sport’s chief football writer, Phil McNulty, is a former De La Salle pupil. He responded to the development on Twitter by saying: "Great news. Well done for all the work on this. Vital for the local community."
MP Ian Byrne became a foundation governor at De La Salle in November last year, after it became clear the school could close.
The DfE had "taken stock of new factors" it said could shape an alternative future for the school, the Baroness's letter revealed. Her letter also confirmed officials were reviewing "detailed information" made available by the local authority on the need for pupil places.
Then last week, the ECHO reported that a January Ofsted inspector report made clear the school was taking "effective action" to remove special measures, following an inspection on November 23 and 24. In response to January's report, De La Salle Academy Acting Principal, Alicia Freeman said "the positive recognition" showed "we are on the right track".
Yesterday, officials made clear that De La Salle had been saved from closure and it was to team up with Dixons Academy Trust.
'These are exciting times and I am proud to be part of it'
Responding to the news, De La Salle Academy Principal Alicia Freeman, said: "This journey has been well over a year for me and the reason why I agreed to take up post of principal.
"The team has worked really hard to put in place the changes asked of them to turn the school around, I am only too pleased that the DfE have recognised that.
"This is a chapter in the history of the school that now closes, the work to improve will continue in earnest.
"I am looking forward, along with the rest of the staff body and students, to bringing the vision alive with Dixon’s Academy trust.
"These are exciting times and I am proud to be part of it.
"I want to thank our wonderful staff, students, parents and the community of De La Salle for their resilience and faith during what has been a very difficult year."
