A Bolton headteacher has responded strongly after train operator Northern publicly called on her to help tackle fare evasion among her students.

Northern has issued a plea to Sam Gorse, headteacher of Turton School - and other heads across the North West - to tackle what it calls  ‘persistent, calculated fare evasion’ by students.

Ms Gorse told The Bolton News that she has been in touch with Northern and believes the issue could be quickly and easily resolved by adding ticket barriers to platforms.

Northern publicly named the Bromley Cross school back in 2022 claiming it was in the 'top five' for pupils caught fare dodging.

Ms Gorse said: "They have contacted us many times over the years and we’ve advised them many times to put barriers and ticket machines on the platforms.

"But they don’t want to take our advice.

"I think those measures would solve the issue."

Northern urged parents to buy existing discounted ‘educational season tickets’ - rather than give their child money for the fare.

Northern say some students decide to pocket the money and take the risk of travelling without a ticket.

The train operator has also contacted 10 other schools with the same plea including other Greater Manchester schools, Hazel Grove High School and Reddish Vale High School.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “What we’re seeing is persistent, calculated fare evasion.

“With secondary school students, fare evasion incidents tend to occur on relatively short journeys between rural and suburban stations which are not barrier-controlled.

“That, combined with the limited time conductors have to carry out ticket checks, emboldens students to travel without a ticket.”

Northern says other issues they've faced in the last year include - students travelling without tickets, ticket fraud and anti-social behaviour as well as verbal and physical assaults on conductors and station staff.

Behaviour at some stations has been so bad that Northern has had to request support from British Transport Police to maintain order, according to Northern.

Mr Powles added: “We’ve seen students climb on station canopies and assault station staff in order to avoid ticket checks - it’s completely unacceptable.

“That’s why we’re calling on headteachers to help us identify repeat offenders.”

A spokesperson for Northern added: “We manage hundreds of stations across the North of England, many of which are unstaffed and therefore not suitable for automated ticket gatelines.

"Everyone has a duty to buy a ticket before they board – and customers can do so via our app, website, ticket vending machines and ticket offices too.

“We have worked with Turton School in the past to inform parents that students can also buy their tickets in advance for individual terms or the full academic year – with a 50 per cent discount on their journey – via our Education Season Ticket scheme.”