AN EVESHAM mum is appealing for someone to educate her nine-year-old son who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Christopher Barnett is a pupil at St Mary's RC School in the town but is only allowed to attend for one hour a day.

He has been partially excluded ever since he started school at four and a half, but now his time there has dwindled so much that his parents are worried that their son's education is severely suffering.

Mum Jennifer Heaney said: "He is only allowed to go in between 10.45 to 12 noon but the first quarter of an hour is play time. The lessons he attends are just for maths because the teachers say he likes that subject, but what about writing and reading?"

Mother of five, Mrs Heaney, explained that her son takes medication for his condition, which manifests itself in bouts of bad temper. Apart from the non-attendance of most lessons, Christopher is also barred from attending school trips. Mrs Heaney said: "He is being treated like an outcast. If St Mary's School cannot educate my son, that's fine, but I need someone to teach him. We are entitled to that. The little education he has got so far has been given to him by me and his father, but it doesn't make up for professional teaching."

Ruth Chiva, Worcestershire's head of services to schools, said: "We have recognised Christopher's special education needs and have allocated provision and professional expertise in supporting these needs. The school has been very sympathetic and supportive, consistent with the County Council's policy on inclusion. If the parents have concerns, they can bring forward a review of Christopher's statement of education needs planned for May to talk though these concerns then. I understand the family's been in touch with our Parent Partnership Service, which will advise them of the best way forward."