HORRIFIED parents are consulting with lawyers after uncovering a catalogue of failings at a Little Hulton school.

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed Harrop Fold school as dirty and infested with rats.

Teaching standards were described as "alarmingly poor" and the school atmosphere as "imtimidating and unsafe".

Parents have been left horrified after obtaining the reports which highlighted a series of failings at their children's school.

The reports relate to an Ofsted inspection in 2003 when the school was placed into special measures.

Reports were compiled following the inspection which were not made available to the public at the time.

But campaigning from the Harrop Fold Parents Group resulted in them attaining copies of the report under the Freedom of Information Act.

And they say they are shocked to learn the true extent of what was going wrong at the school.

Shirley Jones, whose 14-year-old daughter attends the school, said: "My daughter has wasted four years at that school and has not received the standard of education she should have.

"This is our kids' future that they are messing with. We shouldn't have to use legislation to address our children's education needs.

"If such filthy conditions, including rats inside the building, were found inside a prison there would be a public outcry."

Angry parents are in discussion with lawyers before considering legal action against the school for allegedly failing to provide their children with a good education. The reports described the quality of teaching as "generally unsatisfactory and often poor" and the behaviour of pupils was less than satisfactory in one third of lessons.

Supply teachers were common due to long-term absenteeism.

Pupils were regularly sent home with wordsearches to complete, instead of any homework.

Headteacher Vicki Devonport resigned from her post in April last year and a "superhead" Anthony Edkins appointed to set the school on the road to recovery.

Mrs Jones demanded to see reports completed by inspectors who visited the school after the initial 2003 inspection.

But when school bosses refused she turned to the Campaign for the Freedom of Information who supported her bid.

Cllr Keith Mann, Salford City Council's lead member for education, said: "We accept there was poor leadership and management within the school.

"But that has all changed. Continuing to focus on the past will not help the school, parents, pupils or staff. Harrop Fold is improving day by day."