A school trying to tackle "serious weaknesses" identified by Ofsted has recruited 48 new teachers.

Rhodesway School at Allerton was found to have "a high proportion of unsatisfactory teaching" when inspectors visited last summer. When Ofsted returned in November for a full inspection they criticised falling standards and poor behaviour.

Since the report was published in January about half the staff have been replaced.

New head Bob O'Hagan arrived after Christmas to find 22 posts filled by supply teachers, including 12 who were unqualified. Temporary staff were teaching one in five classes.

The new management decided not to renew the contracts of all but two of the supply teachers. And another 25 permanent teachers have quit for other jobs since the Ofsted report was published and Mr O'Hagan arrived.

But despite the exodus, every post has been filled, Mr O'Hagan said.

"It was a daunting task to find 48 permanent staff but we filled every single vacancy," he said. "We have easily been the most successful school in Bradford in terms of recruitment and there's some very exciting people starting."

He said less than half the new starters were 'rookie' NQTs (newly qualified teachers).

"We have had a tremendous response nationwide and hardly any of those coming are local," he said.

"We are an exciting, innovative school and people are looking for that. We haven't relied on extra money to recruit people - it's what we stand for. A lot of people are fed up in the schools they are in. We won't be passing on Government instructions but looking for ways to innovate."

In recent years academic standards at the school have declined. But the school has now turned the corner, Mr O'Hagan said.

"The school is changing. There are some very good results amongst this year's GCSE group but the youngsters can do even better," he said.

The school, which has 1,700 pupils, is being split into three this September to try to improve discipline. There will be a sixth form centre, and two 11 to 16 secondary schools called Rhodesway Bennett and Rhodesway Sharman.

Children at the schools, which have equal status, will wear different coloured ties and have the option of specialising in either science or performing arts