A report found that schools in "special measures" - Ofsted's worst category - improved dramatically when new headteachers were brought in to lay down the law.

A traditional uniform and public school-style house system can also help change the "climate of failure".

The Ofsted study followed the announcement of a new Government drive to raise standards in the fifth of England's secondary schools where teenagers struggle to get good GCSEs.

The Ofsted report identified the factors that led schools in special measures to make "dramatic" improvements so that some were later rated "outstanding".

"The schools needed to overcome a climate of failure and low expectations," it said.

"Improvement was based on a set of clearly understood values usually identified by the headteacher. Values were communicated clearly to staff, pupils and students by actions and words.

"In the early weeks following special measures the highly visible presence of senior leaders in corridors and in classrooms was seen as important. This was especially so in the schools in which behaviour had been judged unsatisfactory or poor."

Inspectors said it was also crucial for schools to make sure pupils were more involved in their own education with traditional house systems working well. In one primary school visited for the study, a new uniform and "radically improved decor" were "small but significant changes".

Earlier this week, ministers warned 638 secondary schools in England that they face closure if they do not improve their results. In all these schools, more than 70% of pupils fail to score five C grades in GCSE subjects including maths and English.