The school was founded in 1844

St Elphin's School in Darley Dale near Matlock, Derbyshire, was heavily in debt and faced closure after a rescue package was turned down by planners.

But in June, two months after staff had been told they would lose their jobs, a business consortium bought the site for �2.4m.

Now the school is hoping to attract more pupils through its doors.

The business group has also vowed to invest in better facilities for the school, which first opened to girls in 1844.

Staff and pupils at St Elphin's, whose pupils ranged from ages 2 to 18, had believed the school would close in the summer following a year in administration.