Whitney Institute Middle School appears to have been saved after the Ministry of Education said it had reached an agreement with the board of trustees.

At the beginning of this week, trustees had written to the Ministry to announce the school would permanently shut next month because of the failure to renovate its termite-infested physical plant.

Complaints from staff include rats, poor plumbing, slippery floors, lack of disabled access, a faulty fire alarm and falling light fixtures.

Last night, shortly after a meeting between the two parties, the Ministry said in a brief statement: "The Ministry of Education and the Whitney Educational Trust wishes to inform the public that they have met and have come to an agreement in principle.

"Both parties are anxious to ensure that the school remains open in September."

Plans to renovate the public school were approved in October 2006, at an estimated cost of $35 million, but major refurbishment projects have never materialised.

The outcome of last night's meeting had been predicted by Minister Randolph Horton and trust chairman Tom Davis following initial talks on Tuesday.