Teaching unions today criticised a lack of investment in some of Bradford's primary schools, claiming dilapidated buildings are hindering teacher recruitment and pupil performance.

Primary school standards are under scrutiny after a review revealed that pupils' performance across the district has fallen for the third year running.

Ian Murch, Bradford branch secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said some of the district's best teaching talent had rejected job offers at schools which had run-down premises.

Mr Murch, a member of the Council's retention and recruitment strategy group, said: "I do know that at some schools in Manningham for instance, the school buildings are quite run-down.

"Teachers looking for jobs at schools often look at the past record of the school because they know that they will be judged by that record.

"If a school is run-down and has a poor record they will go elsewhere.

"There are certainly areas in the city where retention of staff is a problem."

Phillip Shackleton, Bradford branch secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, blamed a "funding issue affecting the physical capacity of some schools".

Councillor Phil Thornton, chairman of the Council's young people and education improvement committee, said he had had serious concerns about the state of some of the district's primary schools for some time.

Coun Thornton (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) said: "Millions upon millions of pounds of lack of investment has gone on for a number of years now.

"We presented our findings on the state of school buildings in a report to the council's executive committee last autumn - but it chose to completely ignore it.

"The lack of investment has led to a lack of maintenance. There has simply not been enough money in the budget to address all the school's physical concerns.

"Now we are in a situation where options that have cropped up include closing school buildings. We have a duty and responsibility to make sure all our staff and pupils work in a suitable environment."

One teaching union source, who did not want to be identified, said several primary schools were threatened by significant lack of investment in building maintenance.

The source named the schools in greatest need of building work as: Barkerend in Hendford Drive, Pollard Park, Bradford; Usher Street, off Wakefield Road, Bradford; Crossley Hall, Thornton Road, Fairweather Green; Priestthorpe, Mornington Road, Bingley; and Guard House in School Road, Guard House, Keighley.

Councillor Dale Smith, the Council's executive member for children's services and education, said: "We are striving to improve the state of our primary school buildings and spend between £3 to £4 million a year tackling the problem.

"The Government is launching a new programme called Every Child Matters - a primary school capital programme in 2009/10 which we hope will provide money to tackle some of the repairs, but we are also looking at other funding streams.

"While recognising the importance of buildings, the crucial aspect of educational attainment is quality of teaching. I am thrilled by the influx of so many quality teachers who are coming to Bradford because of its exciting educational atmosphere."

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk