A FRUSTRATED father says his son deserves a second chance at school after being "forced" to be home-schooled for four months.

Steve Smith-Verrier has hit out at Worcestershire County Council's Special Education Needs (SEN) team for failing to get his 13-year-old son, Cole, a place at a mainstream city school.

But the county councillor responsible for education says it has been in contact with the family, and hopes to find a resolution.

Mr Smith-Verrier says Cole, who lives with him, was originally expelled two years ago from Nunnery Wood High School, before a short spell at Newbridge Short Stay School in Midland Road,

"I pulled him out in November, because of issues there with bullying," the 52-year-old dad said.

"When he was younger and was expelled, it was for bad behaviour and trouble seemed to follow him.

"But he is an intelligent kid, he has turned his life around. He has ADHT, but has been taking medication.

"He is as good as gold now - there has been a big difference since he joined the cadets."

Mr Smith-Verrier, of Calder Road, Ronkswood, says Cole is currently home-schooled by teachers for a few hours a week, with classes focused on maths, English and science to help him towards passing his GCSEs.

"He wants to go into the Army - everybody deserves a second chance," Mr Smith said.

"I was speaking to a woman from the county council's SEN, but nothing is happening.

"I work as forklift driver in Telford - it has got to the point I'm having to take time off work to get this sorted."

Mr Smith-Verrier added he hoped a reference letter from the cadets will strengthen his son's case.

In the letter, Bombardier Dale Hawkes writes: "On his start (in October 2017) at Worcester troop ACF, cadet Smith-Verrier was known to be unruly and a disturbance to training but this was soon identified to be a lack of understanding of the rank structure.

"After a quick chat and a lesson he soon understood the roles and responsibilities of the instructors and senior cadets.

"Cadet Smith-Verrier is now a joy to have in the basic training group and all my instructors have commented on what a pleasure it is to teach him.

"He is always willing to learn - he has the potential to go far in his cadet career and would make a good Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer.

"We hope he continues to excel both in and out of cadets."

James Laidler, headteacher of Newbridge, which caters for pupils with behavioural issues mostly excluded from other schools, said he could not comment on an individual, but said: "We deal with every bullying issue in line with our policies, and speedily."

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for education and skills, said: "We want every child in Worcestershire to get the best education possible.

"Our SEND team has been in regular communication with this family and we will continue to speak to them so we can reach a resolution that we are all happy with."