DETAILS have been released of a highly critical report spelling out why a 1,000 pupil school became the second in Bolton to fail its inspection by education watchdog Ofsted.

The report, published yesterday, said Withins School in Breightmet was failing to provide an acceptable standard of education.

Inspectors praised Dr Chris Gerry, who had been brought in as acting head a few weeks before the inspection and has since left, for the progress the school had made under him. However, it criticised the local education authority for the timing of his secondment.

The report said: "The LEA's appointment of the acting headteacher was very appropriate, but was too late in coming. The improvements that he has introduced are clearly long overdue."

But education chiefs say they are already beginning to address the criticisms and have vowed to put the school back on track.

The school is now under "special measures" which will means it will get extra cash and more regular inspections.

The inspectors found the school "unsatisfactory" in a number of key areas:

Standards: 2002 GCSE results were "very low" in comparison to the national average and national test results at other ages were also below average

Quality of learning: In nearly half of lessons pupils' progress was unsatisfactory. Pupils were unclear as to what they had to do and were often disruptive.

Quality of teaching: Only half of the lessons were deemed satisfactory. Inspectors said that in some lessons "teachers failed to manage the behaviour of pupils."

Pupil attitude and behaviour: Less than satisfactory in 12 out of 31 lessons. In many lessons pupils "showed a scant regard for learning and, at times, disrespect for their teacher or their peers."

Attendance: Below the national average, although somewhat improved recently.

The report found that many teachers at the school -- where 46 per cent of the 1,044 pupils have special educational needs -- were failing to manage pupil behaviour, with many pupils showing a scant regard for learning and some occasionally making racist or sexist remarks.

The report, however, stated that the quality of teaching and attitude and behaviour of pupils were satisfactory or better in half of all lessons. Attendance rates have improved in the past few years and provision for special educational needs was satisfactory.

Bolton's education chiefs say a package of measures to improve the school is already being introduced and over the next three years £1 million of Government cash will be pumped into Withins and the other school in special measures in Bolton, the Deane School.

John Murphy, from a school in Nottingham, has been appointed headteacher at Withins and he will work with Sir John Jones, a head and consultant knighted for his services to education who has been seconded from a school in Maghull, Liverpool.

Cllr Linda Thomas, Bolton Council's executive member for education, pointed out that just 18 months ago a team of 14 inspectors were at the school for five days and gave it a reasonably positive report.

She said the latest inspection was carried out by three inspectors who spent one and a half days in the school. She urged parents to remember that an Ofsted Inspection can only give a "snapshot" in a school's life.

Radical plans are being discussed to transform Withins into a community campus. It would become an extended school where a variety of agencies, such as health and social services would operate from the site as well as a construction-skills academy.

Chair of Governors Derek Smith said that he had received many calls from parents who were very happy with the education of their children in the school. He said: "The school is improving and has been improving over several months now and we as governors are fully supportive of John Murphy."