AN 11-year-old with learning difficulties is urging education chiefs not to send him to a school more than two miles from his home.

Aron Stoker, from Burrill Avenue, Clifton, has been given a place at Burnholme Community College, in Burnholme.

But his parents claim Aron, who suffers from dyspraxia, commonly known as clumsy child syndrome, would be unable to make his way across the city alone - and his mother, Karen, is partially sighted and unable to accompany him.

An appeal for him to obtain a place at Joseph Rowntree School, his first choice, was unsuccessful.

His family is hoping an appeal next week for a place at his second choice, Huntington School, will result in him being offered a place.

His stepfather, Michael McCarthy, said: "Aron is absolutely frantic at the moment.

"He has problems because of his dyspraxia, and the few friends he has are going to Joseph Rowntree School.

"For any child of this age it would be hard going to school where you don't know anybody, but for him it is going to be terrible."

Aron, currently at Haxby Road Primary School, would need to leave home at 7.30am to catch two buses to get to Burnholme Community College, or walk a round trip of more than four miles, his stepfather claimed.

Mike Peters, director of educational services at City of York Council, said: "Aron wasn't allocated a place at Joseph Rowntree School and, although I don't know for definite, it appears he was unsuccessful at appeal.

"The appeals for Huntington School, which was his second choice, will be heard next week.

"Clearly what his parents need to be able to do is put forward their specific circumstances and they will be taken into account by the appeal panel when they make their decision."

The appeal panel is totally independent of the education authority.