A mum has shared her frustration after her four-year-old son has been left without a school place.

Codie Kirkman, 25, from Ainsworth, claims that due to a “catalogue of errors” by Bury Council, her son is not able to attend school despite her best efforts.

Four-year-old Brody was diagnosed with autism when he was aged just two.

Mum Codie paid for Brody to attend a private nursery in Bury when he was a year old, however, they struggled to manage the high level of support required, leaving him with nowhere to go for more than six months.

READ MORE: Swimming club and members in running to win national awards

Brody was then placed into a resourced provision place at a local authority nursery in Chesham last September, which meant he could be supported in a mainstream setting but had to leave once he turned reception age.

Codie says she has now applied for 12 schools in the area and has been rejected by them all due to a lack of suitable special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provisions.

Brody was due to start school this September but is still out of education.

She said: “He was crying at the gates when he had to leave nursery.

READ MORE: Family-friendly Halloween events for October half-term in Bury

“I’m trying my best with him being at home and working through learning books together.

“I take him to soft play centres after other kids finish school so that he can at least socialise and meet other children his own age.

“He has no education at the moment, meaning he is being delayed even further the longer this goes on. He has nowhere to go.”

An education, health and care plan (EHCP) was put in place for Brody in 2022, but this was revised earlier this year and changed from a level two to a level five.

It means that Brody needs a higher level of support than was previously determined.

Brody, who is turning five next week, was offered a temporary place at St Stephens Primary School in Bury on the condition that the local authority would be able to fund one to one support but Codie was informed by the council that this would not be possible due to the cost. 

READ MORE: 'Much-loved' firefighter, 44, tragically died after taking cocaine, inquest hears

She added: “We’ve tried everything and I don’t know what to do anymore. We’ve even applied for schools outside of the area in Haslingden or Blackley but had no luck.

“They’ve all said no due to being unable to meet his needs.

“The council has had 10 months to resolve this. We have been given no idea of dates and I’ve had to resort to taking legal action.

“I’ve been told that it could be May next year before a tribunal goes ahead.”

Millwood Primary Special School in Radcliffe is the only one in the borough which could meet Brody’s needs properly but they have no space available to take on new pupils.

Codie explained that Brody is non-verbal and needs extra support around eating and personal care.

She added: “When it comes to the ECHP, as a parent, you have no idea what it all means until you’re put in this position.

“It feels so unfair – he deserves an education as much as other kids do.”

A Bury Council spokesperson said: "We understand the frustrations that Codie has in accessing a suitable school place for her child.

“She feels that only Millwood can provide the education and support he needs. However, Millwood is full.

“We felt that Chantlers could provide that support – indeed, Codie selected Chantlers as one of her preferred schools.

“The matter is now going to tribunal. Until a decision is reached there, we will continue to work with the family and ensure that Brody gets the alternative provision he requires.”