SCHOOL chiefs have asked 300 pupils to stay at home today as they attempt to create an “exclusion zone” to separate children from a group of travellers.

A convoy of around 30 caravans moved on to the grounds of Smithills School, in Smithills Dean Road, on Sunday evening, immediately after they were given notice to leave nearby Moss Bank Park.

School bosses say the move has caused significant disruption and plans had to be quickly put in place to move children out of classrooms next to the playing fields, as it was feared the travellers’ presence would cause the pupils to be distracted.

It is also feared that sports day, planned for Wednesday, may have to be cancelled.

Headteacher Chris Roberts called parents last night to tell them that year eight pupils should work from home today. Other year groups will be told to stay at home throughout the week if the travellers remain on the fields.

He said: “The reason I am doing this is to exercise a duty of care for the young people at Smithills School and create a no-go area between the travellers’ camp and the furthest northern point of the school.”

“It has caused disruption but staff and pupils have been fantastic and responded well,” added Mr Roberts, who also said that PE lessons have been affected.

Police were due to speak to the group last night to inform them that trespass — which is normally a civil offence — is elevated to a criminal offence when it is carried out on a school premises and causes disruption.

This would give the police the power of arrest if the travellers refused to move on.

Sgt John Nicol, of the Bolton West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We take this very seriously and are taking positive action to ensure the smooth running of the school.”

The police action would overrule a move by Bolton Council officers who were due to visit the travellers yesterday to give them a direction to leave the land.

The direction gives them 24 hours to leave. If they do not, the council can apply for a summons from magistrates.

The travellers were given notice to leave Moss Bank Park by Bolton Council after the caravans appeared near the park’s main entrance, off Moss Bank Way, on Monday night.

The travellers’ latest move has caused concern among local residents.

One Smithills Dean Road resident said: “I saw all the caravans through the trees when I came in from church this morning. I do not understand it. The school always has football and cricket matches on. What are they doing with all those vehicles there?

“I know they come to Moss Bank Park quite often, but not on a school field.”

A police source told The Bolton News that the same group of travellers had been moved from grounds at Aspul Rugby Club in Wigan before they settled in Moss Bank Park.