THE headmaster of a Bolton school at the centre of a major shake-up in the education of children with behavioural problems has expressed his concern for the future.

Roger Waring, head of Stocks Park School, Horwich, which will be the sole provider of education for such youngsters, believes tough decisions lie ahead.

Last week Bolton's education committee approved the closure of Lostock Park School, which teaches pupils aged from 12 to 16.

Councillors also recommended integrating primary school children into mainstream education, and called for investment in Stocks Park so it can meet the needs of older children transfering from Lostock Park.

"There has to be a proper consultation," said Mr Waring. "The council's own report into EBD provision across the borough concedes this school, as it stands, is not a suitable facility.

"Over the years this school has concentrated on educating primary school children and has done so successfully, yet the report states integration will be the way forward for these pupils and only severe cases will be sent to this school.

"For head teachers across the borough these children represent a tremendous worry. Whether they will agree with the integration theory is a question which really does need answering."

Concern has also been expressed about the January 17 deadline the report has set for responses to the consultation to be submitted.

Barry Scanlon, assistant director of education with responsibility for special needs, said: "The deadline is set for January 17 because before we close Lostock Park we must go through statutory measures as set down by central government.

"Before reorganisation of special needs education in 1985, Stocks Park was a school which dealt with pupils of a wide age range. We believe integration in the primary sector is the most effective way of dealing with younger pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties and this view is shared by experts nationally."

"We have already arranged a meeting with the school's governing body and shall be explaining our proposals to staff as we can fully understand and appreciate their concerns for the future." "At the moment we have a successful school which is an integral part of the local community. Any changes to its nature as proposed by this report, need to be looked at in the context of how these changes will affect that community."

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