A 12-YEAR-OLD boy with autism and ADHD wanted to give £20 of his birthday money to his special school to keep it open, says his devastated mum.

Crossley Manor School is an independent special school in Rainhill which educates pupils aged between five and 19 with special educational needs, including autistic spectrum conditions.

This week it was announced that due to a lack of “sufficient numbers of pupils” the school will close at the end of term.

It is understood 11 pupils, aged between six and 16, will then have to find alternative education venues.

One pupil is Charlie Cheshire from Widnes who had to wait more than 16 and a half months to attend the schools which better meets his needs than others in the area.

His mum Susan is worried the closure will make him more "isolated, scared and confused" and blames local authorities for not sending more pupils to the Rainhill school.

Susan Cheshire, 39, said: "It took us 16 and a half months to get Charlie into Crossley so as you can imagine we were devastated when we found out.

"He thinks it's his fault because of how he processes things and it was his birthday last month and thinks by giving the school his birthday money it could stay open, he can't understand that £20 is not enough.

"He couldn't read or write before he went there and now he can, because of the amazing work by staff.

"He doesn't want to go to another school, with his needs he finds it hard to cope with change, a lot of these children do, so I'm worried this will make him feel isolated, scared and confused.

"It already took 20 months to get him comfortable to go there in the taxi paid for for him, it's going to be new changes all over again.

"I totally blame the local authority on this for them stopping sending children there. Why not support places like this that do an amazing job for children with complex needs?

"This is going to severely affect children with special needs who struggle to understand, their parents and the staff. It's heartbreaking."

A St Helens Council spokesperson, said: “We are aware of the situation at Crossley Manor and are working with the school - as well as the families of those affected – to find suitable alternative educational settings to meet the needs of pupils.”

A spokesperson for Elysium Healthcare, which run Crossley Manor, added: “It is with great reluctance that we have come to the decision to close Crossley Manor School.

“For the past two years school staff have worked tirelessly to make the school a success and build the roll of pupils.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to attract sufficient pupils. We are now focused on supporting local authorities, families and students to find the best alternative placement before the new school term commences in September.”