Pupils have re-launched' an inner-city primary school in a bid to raise standards.

Ofsted inspectors judged Southmere Primary in Great Horton, Bradford, was failing after an inspection last September and placed it in special measures.

However, youngsters are now making significant progress after working with staff to identify key academic targets.

Students invited parents and guardians to attend a special re-launch' assembly at which they spelled out attainment goals in English and maths.

Deputy head teacher Chris Parfitt said being put in special measures had left pupils, staff and parents shocked', but said they were all focused on raising standards.

Each class now has must', should' and could' targets in English and maths displayed on its classroom's walls. Parents have also been sent a letter which identifies necessary attainment levels for their child.

Mrs Parfitt said: "The Ofsted inspection was a shock to us all but staff, children and parents are determined to rise to the challenge.

"We invited parents into school to have a look at what the children were doing and told them what the curricular targets were about. We wanted to reassure them that we had high expectations and everything was in place to help their child achieve what they could."

In reading, Year One pupils must' be able to tell a story they know and find information to answer questions.

They should' be able to recognise the main parts of different types of text and they could' explain how different texts are organised.

Mrs Parfitt said: "At the moment we are working towards improving literacy and numeracy and putting a spark back into the whole curriculum.

"The school did not have the targets before. They are an integral part of raising standards."

In the report which placed the school in special measures last October, Ofsted inspectors claimed the school's lessons and curriculum failed "to meet the needs of all pupils" and held back their progress.

The report said pupils did have "targets for achievement", but did "not have a clear understanding about how to achieve them".

Head teacher Tim Lawson and Mrs Parfitt both arrived at the school shortly before it was placed in special measures.

Mrs Parfitt said teaching staff had already noticed a rise in pupil standards since implementing the new targets.

School council member Haroon Siddique, nine, said: "I think Southmere is a brilliant school, however I will try my best to improve it a little more."

Star Whitwell, nine, also a school council member, added: "I care about this school. We can improve a little bit more. The pupils are working hard and we all want everyone to do well. There is now a better learning environment and we can learn more now."