BBC North of England Correspondent Richard Wells reports from the school

The Ridings found itself in the unhappy position of having an education 'hit squad' sent in following a complete breakdown of discipline in 1996.

Mr Blunkett will hear that the school has been transformed since then, but because of the improvements it now faces the possibility of losing the special grants which helped to turn it around.

The government forced the local education authority - Calderdale - to appoint a new head teacher who expelled unruly pupils and imposed strict discipline.

In return, it got special help in the form of extra money to pay for more teachers, a science laboratory, a new gymnasium.

Ian Jennings: "Perceptions are crucial"

Calderdale's Director of Education, Ian Jennings, says The Ridings has made very considerable progress in two years.

"That's recognised in the community," he said. "It is important that we maintain that progress and ensure that the school comes out of special measures and is regarded as a successful school."

The downside is the loss of the additional funding those special measures have brought in. Devolved management of the school budget, with income related to pupil numbers, will leave it short - because of the 850 places about a third are still empty.

Anna White: worried

The head, Anna White, said there would undoubtedly be an impact if Mr Blunkett said "fine, you've done everything, we're delighted with you".

"If our governors are then given back their delegated budget and the council are no longer able - allowed, because of national legislation - to help us, that could be very very serious for the school."

Brian Garvey of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers says: "It's going to be difficult. There will be staff losses; education at the school will suffer, and we could be back into another spiral."