The parents of an eight-year-old boy with severe learning difficulties are locked in a battle with Essex County Council over his education.

They have said they are so concerned about him going to a suitable school, they say they are prepared to move house. Linda and Les Warren, of Mumford Road, West Bergholt, say Billy-Joe was so unhappy as a pupil at Lexden Springs in Colchester that they took him away last September.

Since then, Mrs Warren, 42, has been teaching him at home.

Mrs Warren said while at the school, Billy-Joe's speech had deteriorated and he sometimes came home with scratch and bite marks on his arms.

But a spokesman for Essex Council's education department disputed the claims and said there had been no sign of Billy-Joe being unhappy at school.

Mrs Warren also said Billy-Joe was having nightmares because he was so frightened of school. She added: "I had to push him out of the door in the mornings. It broke my heart."

She has now taught her son at home for the past five months, and the one thing the council and the family do agree on is that Billy-Joe needs to be back in school.

But which one is a bone of contention. Lexden Springs caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties - the condition which Billy-Joe has.

The council wants him to return to Lexden Springs, but Mrs Warren said: "We don't want him there and we'll move if necessary."

She said while it would be a drastic option - and would mean the family would have to leave its friends behind - it was one they would make if necessary.

The family is keen for Billy-Joe to attend Market Field School in Elmstead Market.

Market Field is classified as a school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, with enhanced provision for pupils with autism.

Mrs Warren said Billy-Joe had been to see the school with a view to attending and it was suggested the school might be able to take him.

But now the family has been told the school is inappropriate for Billy-Joe as it supplies less support than he requires.

Mrs Warren said: "I'm angry. I'm not saying he's not severe, but he would be happy there and a happy child will learn.

"I know he would be bottom of the class, and I'm not expecting miracles, but I want his education to be happy."

The education spokesman said: "We have a great deal of sympathy with the family's plight."

Concerned about the amount of time Billy-Joe had been out of school, he said: "It's a sad case. Billy-Joe might never be able to make up for this long period outside school.

"Mixing with other children is part of his growing up and development."

He said the cuts and knocks Billy-Joe had received at Lexden Springs were no worse than any other child would encounter and the situation had been closely monitored.

"The staff at Lexden Springs were sorry to see Billy-Joe go as he was making progress."

Waiting to return to school - eight-year-old Billy-Joe Warren gets some help with his reading and counting from mum Linda at their home in West Bergholt.

Picture: TERRY WEEDEN

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