"Do a good job and we won't interfere" is the message to the district's schools from education chiefs in a new blueprint for the future.

The Ofsted action plan, set to be approved by Bradford Council next week, is a detailed response from the local education authority (LEA) to every criticism made by the education watchdog in its damning report earlier this year.

Among the key points is a new approach to working with schools described as "intervention according to need". "The idea is that we are moving into a new relationship with schools which is essentially based on partnership," said the council's assistant chief executive for education, Les Walton.

In the past, the LEA had divided its attention equally between all schools. Now it has pledged to only intervene where there is a real need and to operate with a "light touch" for schools that are managing well on their own.

Convenor of the Bradford Upper School Heads' Assoc-iation, Tony Thorne, said: "This absolutely right and is what the Government's line has been all along. We welcome it."

The document also pledges to improve the financing of education to at least national standards. Head teachers are already being involved in reviewing the distribution of funds between the primary and secondary sectors.

Executive member for education Councillor David Ward (Lib-Dem) said: "Ofsted made it quite clear that Bradford had to improve and the action plan sets out how we intend to achieve this.''

Other key points in the plan being given urgent priority are: Improving consultation using the Internet and focus groups; revising the district's education development plan to ensure greater coherency and accessibility; clearer targets for LEA staff; working with nationally renowned experts on a strategy for pupils with special educational needs.

"It is not just about a checklist, it is about the confidence of schools and of ourselves. There is an enormous task ahead,'' said Mr Walton.