POLICE have refuted “unwarranted” claims made on Facebook that a 29-year-old man posed as a pupil at Broad Oak Sports College.

Bury Council bosses and school leaders have also confirmed social media claims that an imposter pretended to be a year 10 pupil at the school are “completely untrue”.

Facebook posts alleged the "man" regularly attended lessons at the school in Hazel Avenue, Bury, dressed in a white shirt, black trousers and trainers.

This morning Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed he is in fact a “vulnerable” 14-year-old boy from Afghanistan who recently migrated to the country.

Det Con Carolyn Morley, from the Bury North division, said: “We have been made aware of reports of an older man posing as a student at a school in Bury.

“Detectives have undertaken enquires into this matter and assessments have been carried out by the relevant agencies, and we are confident that no offences have been committed.

“This young man is a vulnerable child, fleeing persecution in his country of birth, and this speculation is unwarranted and unhelpful.”

A Facebook group named "School Pupil Safety Awareness" was set up by worried parents earlier this week to discuss the allegations, and quickly gained more than 100 members. It has now been deleted.

The Bury Times understands the school is expected to contact parents directly today or tomorrow to explain the claims made by parents on social media are untrue.

In a statement to parents and carers, posted on the school’s website, headteacher Stephen Brecken said the allegations were “spurious” and “unfounded”.

Mr Brecken added: “Parents and carers can be assured of the wellbeing and safety of Broad Oak students.

“The school will, as always, work with parents to address any specific concerns they have about their own children.

“The use of social media to air concerns about the school is not the way to support your children or the school and, as in this case, has created a level of anxiety amongst the school community based on unfounded allegations.”

A spokesman for Bury Council said: “The council and the school have investigated allegations of a man masquerading as a pupil that were made on Facebook, and we can report that these are completely untrue.

“Broad Oak has a strong reputation for keeping students safe and has robust safeguarding procedures in place.

“In its latest Ofsted report the school was rated 'good' both for its leadership and management and for the behaviour and safety of its pupils.”