A MOTHER fears her son's mental health will deteriorate if he joins a special needs school which has been compared with a 'prison'.

Paul Yeomans, the headteacher of Riversides School, previously called on Worcestershire County Council to move his students out of the building, in Spring Gardens, Worcester.

He warned that drugs were being used near the site and demanded a new building at a council meeting on Thursday, July 13.

Liz Hayward, executive principal of the trust behind the school, said the council has backtracked on an agreement that the site would be a 'temporary solution'.

Mother Lisa Evans-Lochlin is now worried about how the building will affect her 13-year-old son, Leon, who is set to join the school in September.

The 37-year-old, of Westlands Estate, in Droitwich, said: "I think it will have an affect on his mental health and wellbeing.

"Riversides looks like a prison. You go into a building with no windows and artificial light and it's crammed. They haven't even got a playing field.

"You will wake up and not want to go to school. Normal schools have lovely environments."

She said her son previously attended the Riversides School junior site in Thorneloe Road, Worcester, and cannot move schools because his needs are currently being met.

Ms Evans-Lochlin, who is also a parent governor, said Riversides School moved into the building, in Spring Gardens, in 2013.

"They were told three years ago it was a temporary measure. I think the council is just passing the buck," she said.

"When the school became an academy I believe the council then said 'it's not down to us'.

"From my point of view they are still having children go there. Also the academy can't afford to buy a new building.

"I want to see a different site for the school."

Cllr Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for education and skills, said the council is focused on improving outcomes for all of its children.

"Riversides School in Worcester is an academy. The school is not therefore under our control so regrettably we are not in a position to enable Riversides to move into a new building," he said.

"Any request for a new building will need to be considered by the Education Funding Agency, who manage the funding for academies.

"We want all parents in Worcestershire to be happy with the school they are sending their children to.

"Our ambition is to see more children and young people achieving their full potential in education and being fully prepared to live happy and healthy adult lives."

Cllr Hart encouraged Ms Evans-Lochlin to contact the county council's special educational needs and disabilities team on 01905 763763.