TOWN hall bosses are set to discuss proposals to move Firwood Special School in Tonge Moor to the Withins School site in Breightmet, Bolton.

Both schools would be run on the same site.

But it would mean reducing the annual admission to Withins, a secondary school for 11 to 16-year-olds, from 240 to 180.

Building work would be carried out to enable Firwood School, a secondary school for pupils with severe learning difficulties which is currently a mile away, to move to the campus.

Executive member for education, Cllr Linda Thomas, has recommended that the plans be approved.

If the council gives its approval, legal notices will be published and there will be a period in which objections can be made.

It will be up to the School Organisation Committee to make the final decision as to whether the move should go ahead, as long as the money can be found.

The council will discuss the plans on Monday.

Withins buildings would be improved so that there is access for all children to all parts of the school.

Admissions to Withins School would be reduced from September, 2004, and Firwood would transfer to Withins with effect from September, 2005, should the plans go ahead.

Bringing the schools together has been proposed because it would be too costly to develop separately the two existing sites which are both in need of investment

A parent of one Firwood pupil who has profound multiple learning difficulties has written to the council expressing concern that their child may be bullied if the plans went ahead.

Some members of Withins School staff, while being in support of the overall vision for the future, have also expressed concerned over the effect the move could have on the excellent physical education currently available at Withins.

Pete Richardson, deputy headteacher at Withins School said: "We are very much in favour of these plans. It will mean improved facilities for both schools. It is a win-win situation."

He added that already some Firwood pupils take part in lessons with Withins pupils and bullying had never been an issue.

Concerns regarding physical education would be sorted out as the project develops, Mr Richardson said.