A BRADFORD school has been placed into special measures after being told by Ofsted it needed to improve standards in attainment, attendance and behaviour.

Hanson Academy, in Swain House, was found to be inadequate following an inspection in February, with safeguarding procedures relating to pupils also deemed to be unsatisfactory.

The academy, which has 1,837 pupils, has since made new additions to its leadership team, claiming it has started a process to "transform" the school.

The Ofsted report is not due to be made public until Monday, but in a letter seen by the Telegraph & Argus, the school seeks to assure parents and carers "how seriously" it is treating its findings.

The letter states the school was told its students with special educational needs were underachieving, with post-16 provision also requiring improvement.

The document is written and signed by two new members of the school's senior leadership team, executive support headteacher, Paul Morrissey, and consultant headteacher, David Maxwell.

The pair have been brought in from Guiseley School, and Oakbank School, in Keighley, respectively, to help deliver "radical improvements" to Hanson.

A "post-Ofsted action plan" is already being implemented at the school, which also said it was "receiving strong support" from the local education authority, including "significant additional funds in leadership and teaching."

The letter reads: "We have already made major changes, which means this is not the same school that was inspected in February."

Worried parents had also contacted the T&A with concerns over staffing levels at the school, which said in a statement yesterday: "It would not be appropriate for us to comment before the report has been published, but as soon as Ofsted has published its findings we will be keen to tell you about the concerted action that is underway to transform the school."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for education, skills and culture, said: "When we receive an Ofsted report on a school which is critical, it is absolutely vital that we take quick and decisive action to make sure the school turns things around as soon as possible, and that is what we are doing.

"The school has a robust new safeguarding policy which is now implemented to make sure that young people are safe.

"We have also acted to strengthen the school's leadership team by bringing in strong school-to-school support from Guiseley School in Leeds, a school which is rated by Ofsted as good, with outstanding leadership and management.

"We will continue to work closely with the school so that it drives forward improvements for all pupils, whatever their individual needs, without delay."

A spokesman for the Department for Education said it could not comment on the Ofsted report before it was officially published.

In its previous Ofsted inspection, in February 2013, Hanson School was told it required improvement in every category.

It caused widespread controversy in November last year when it turned 250 pupils away across three days for supposedly violating the school's dress code.