A MOTHER is refusing to send her son to a school because of bullying fears.

Julie Yates says her son, Gary Naylor, 11, is too frightened to attend Branksome Comprehensive School, Darlington, because he has already been attacked by pupils from the school.

He was due to start there earlier this month, but instead he is being taught at home by his mother.

Darlington Borough Council has offered an alternative place at Eastbourne Comprehensive School, but the family have refused it.

Miss Yates, 29, of Beaconsfield Street, said she would continue to keep Gary at home until he was given a place at his school of choice, Longfield Comprehensive School.

"I know what he will go through at Branksome," she said.

"He has been bullied around the area here and it is pupils from that school who have been doing it. He has been punched in the stomach and wounded."

Miss Yates, a single mother, is finding teaching her son at home a struggle.

"He also needs a bit of special needs help which I can't really give him," she said.

Her father, Harry, has written to the Prime Minister about Gary's case.

He said: "My daughter is fighting a lonely battle on her own against the uncaring education authority. They have no understanding of a child's feelings or needs."

A council spokeswoman said Gary had lost his appeal to go to Longfield Comprehensive School.

"The authority's admission criteria was followed," she said.

"The child's parents have exhausted the appeal mechanism. Alternative schools were offered but turned down."