PARENTS of pupils at a Salford school branded a failure are to seek damages from the local education authority.

In July, Harrop Fold High School, Little Hulton, received one of the most damning Ofsted reports on a school in the city, and it was placed in special measures.

A group of parents are now to take legal action as they believe the school and the LEA failed in their duty to provide adequate teaching.

Shirley Jones, of Walkden, who has a 13-year-old daughter at the school, said: "I took a representative group of 10 parents to meet a solicitor recommended by the Campaign For Real Education, who came up from London.

Legal aid

"We're also trying to find the parents of children who have left the school and didn't get the results they expected because of poor teaching."

Solicitor Jack Rabinowicz, a specialist in educational law, advised the parents that they could be entitled to legal aid if the action was taken in the names of their children.

Headteacher Vicki Devonport is to speak to parents at a public meeting at the One Stop Shop, in Longshaw Drive, Little Hulton, next Monday.

At a meeting of Salford city council, Mrs Jones and other parents submitted tough questions to the city's education spokesman, Coun Keith Mann, calling for a public inquiry.

The 1,300-pupil school was formed two years ago by the controversial merger of Joseph Eastham and Little Hulton community high schools - an amalgamation opposed by many parents.

The school is due to be rebuilt on playing fields at Hilton Lane at a cost of £18m under Private Finance Initiative funding and is scheduled to open in 2007.

The Ofsted report praised Mrs Devonport - who took over in January - for her leadership and efforts to turn the school around.

But the report said teaching was poor, academic achievement was well below average and disruptive pupils were out of control.

Jill Baker, director of education and leisure at Salford, said: "We have not yet received any official notification of action from solicitors and, therefore, it would not be appropriate to comment at this stage."