Security guards are being brought in to patrol a "problem" school in a crackdown on unruly behaviour.

Three uniformed guards from a private security firm will be installed at St Chad's comprehensive school in Tilbury, Essex.

They are being brought in by the local education authority, Thurrock Council, as part of a "drastic" attempt to raise standards.

A council spokesman said: "This isn't a case where they're going to be searching children as they come into school, or asking anyone to assume the position.

'Radical measures'

"The guards will patrol the grounds and check the buildings, and report any problems to members of staff.

"This is a problem school which has a long history of problems, and our decision to appoint the security guards is part of a package of radical measures which we hope will improve behaviour and raise standards at the school."

The school had particular problems with truancy and unruly behaviour, and it had received a number of critical inspection reports from the Office for Standards in Education.

The spokesman said: "We accept that these are drastic and radical measures. We are not attempting to hide any of the problems.

"But there is a danger that if we don't do something the school will close, and nobody wants that.

"Hopefully these measures will work quickly and the security guards won't need to be there for very long."