A SCHOOL plagued by problems is declining to comment on reports that it has been failed by Ofsted inspectors.

According to The Independent newspaper yesterday, management at the Unity City Academy, in Middlesbrough, have received a damning draft report.

But a school spokesman said: "The facts of the matter are that the report from Ofsted on their inspection of the academy, carried out in March, has not yet been finalised, let alone published.

"In these circumstances, it would be nonsensical to speculate or comment on what the report might or might not include."

A Department for Education and Skills (DfES) spokesman said: "We cannot comment on unpublished material."

The Ofsted report will not be published until next month.

Unity City replaced Keldholme and Langbaurgh secondary schools in 2002.

The £18m academy has financial problems, one of the highest exclusion rates and poor exam results.

A DfES spokesperson said: "Discussions are ongoing with Unity Academy about the implementation of the financial recovery plan that has been agreed."

Unity was among the first of three academies to be built in Britain.

A DfES team was sent into Greig City Academy, in Hornsey, north London, after it had been open for only six months, while Bexley academy, also in London, was criticised by Ofsted inspectors for serious weaknesses in its teaching.