EDUCATION bosses have admitted they failed to give effective help to two Bolton schools criticised by Government inspectors.

In a report being considered today Bolton's Deputy Director of Education Mr Terry Piggott admits the local authority initially failed St Bernard's Primary School and Lever Park Special School (created from the merger of Lostock Park and Stocks Park Schools).

Both St Bernard's, a Roman Catholic primary school, and the former Lostock Park which educates youngsters with emotional and behavioural difficulties, were deemed to be "failing" by OFSTED-appointed inspectors.

In his report, Mr Piggott says: "In neither case did the LEA discharge its statutory duty effectively in the initial stages."

But now education bosses have drawn up an ambitious action plan for the two schools.

At St Bernard's, which has now amalgamated with neighbouring St Ethelbert's, concerted efforts are said to be being made by the headteacher to draw together the two schools.

Mr Piggott said: "Rapid progress is being made in improving provision for pupils, and over the summer holiday a substantial building programme will get underway. There is also good parental support for the school.

"We are very pleased with the rate of improvement since the early days which were admittedly tough," he added.

At Lever Park the authority has had to re-think its approach to providing a broad-based education for youngsters who are emotionally and behaviourally immature.

The authority has seconded a senior officer to oversee a new strategy which will involve a new approach to the education provided there.

Links have already been established with Bolton College's Horwich campus to provide a more vocational education which has greater interest and relevance to pupils.

An experienced deputy head with extensive secondary school education has been appointed and the authority will soon be advertising for a new headteacher to provide strong, effective leadership.

Mr Piggott said: "Following the merger of the two schools and the creation of the single site school it was very difficult for pupils to be positive. For many it was a case of returning to a school, effectively Stocks Park, which they had left and to them this was a step backwards.

"Because things were done in a rush, the accommodation was not ideal to provide the kind of curriculum needed in this case.

"Now we have the approval to spend money and there should be a dramatic improvement. We have already asked the Government to look at our revised plans and they believe there is now a far greater chance of our succeeding in this very difficult area of education."

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