Nottingham University was forced yesterday to defend its record as a sponsor of an academy school recently rated "inadequate" by schools inspector Ofsted.

Nottingham University Samworth Academy was one of three academies to be put into special measures last month along with three community schools.

Ofsted's school report found achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management were all "inadequate."

Pro-vice chancellor for teaching and learning Professor Alan Ford said the university had put in place a "plan of action" to improve those areas.

It includes a partnership with the Torch academy chain, which runs four other academies in the east Midlands.

Mr Ford said: "The partnership will use the Torch Academy Gateway Trust's track record of school improvement in conjunction with the outstanding teaching and training practice provided by The University of Nottingham's School of Education."

But a source close to the university told the Star the school of education had only been allowed "minimal involvement" in the academy.

And the source said: "What on earth is a prestigious university doing hitching itself to Gove's attempts to create such an elitist education system and how do they explain making such a hash of it?"

Nottingham City Council has established a "Challenge Board" to make improvements in the city's six failing schools, including academies accountable to the Department for Education.

National Union of Teachers rep Susi Artis said the board effectively replaced a local education authority "decimated" by schools privatisation.