EDUCATION bosses have hit back at claims that a decision to rename Stocks Park School in Horwich was an attempt to cover up blunders made during its merger with Lostock Special School.

As reported in the BEN, former Horwich Town Mayor, Mark Perks, is furious that the school for children with special needs will now be now be known as Lever Park School.

Councillors on Bolton's Education Committee approved the name change recommended by governors last month but Mr Perks is angry that local people and town councillors were not consulted about the move.

And he claims the change is aimed at helping people forget controversial decisions and mistakes that were made when the two schools merged.

But Bolton's Assistant Director of Education, Barry Scanlon, denied that the name change had been an attempt at a cover up.

He said: "The fact is that there are now two schools on the site and it is clearly helpful to avoid any confusion with the former primary school. Therefore, the new name of Lever Park was recommended by the governors and accepted by the Education and Arts Committee.

"There were strong educational reasons for the amalgamation of the schools and the Lostock Park building was a health and safety risk. Pupils and staff had to be re-located before September for their own safety."

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