AN autistic schoolboy is facing a 40-mile journey to an Oxfordshire special school next year because he lives outside the Swindon catchment area.

Richard Brooks, of Sand Hill, Shrivenham, has severe autism so when mother Lin was looking for schools for the 11-year-old, she was thrilled to find Crowdys Hill special school, in Swindon, was just five miles away.

But, despite being just a short journey from their home, Swindon Council rejected Mrs Brooks’ application, citing her address in Oxfordshire as being outside the catchment area.

The 48-year-old claims that the council advised her to move if she was desperate to get Richard into Crowdys Hill – but even uprooting him from their family home would not guarantee a place.

“I don’t know what I am supposed to do,” said Mrs Brooks, whose younger son William, nine, also has autism.

Richard is currently at Ashbury Primary School, near Swindon, where small classes mean he can be given an adapted mainstream education.

Mrs Brooks said her only option for Richard’s secondary education is to send him to the next most suitable school, The Chinnor Unit, in Thame, more than 40 miles away.

And, because there is no school bus to ferry him to and from Thame, the family will have to pay for a taxi twice a day.

Mrs Brooks said Richard has been offered a place at a school 12 miles away in Wantage, but she believes the school is unsuitable for someone at his end of the autism spectrum.

“This decision was made without anyone actually meeting my son to see the extent of his need,” she said.

“Because of the nature of autism he can become very distressed so a 40-mile journey to another school in Thame is practically out of the question.

“When the council suggested moving, I almost considered it but there is no guarantee after all that, that he’ll even be able to get in, not to mention the anguish it’ll cause uprooting two autistic children from a place so familiar to them.”

A Swindon Council spokeswoman said: “We are responsible for a number of pupils with special educational needs, some of whom are educated in special schools.

“Crowdys Hill School is full from September 2010 and there are seven children on the waiting list.

“These pupils have priority over children living outside of the borough, in line with our admissions policy.

“At no point have we suggested to a parent they could move home to try and secure a place at the school.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of Oxfordshire County Council to find a place for Richard, and we understand a place has been offered at a school in nearby Wantage.”