MOTHERS feel they are being let down by a special needs school building, which has been compared to a prison.

Headteacher Paul Yeomans previously demanded a new building for Riversides School at a Worcestershire County Council meeting on Thursday, July 13.

He complained about pedestrians taking pictures of his pupils, 'blacked out' windows at the school and drug paraphernalia being dumped near the building, in Spring Gardens, Worcester.

Parent governor Lisa Evans-Lochlin backed Mr Yeomans' push for a new building and is concerned about her son's mental health deteriorating when he attends the site in September.

Jennie Smart, aged 42, of Drake Avenue, Worcester, supported Ms Evans-Lochlin and said her 15-year-old son, Ethan, hates Riversides School.

"I totally understand her concerns. My son goes here and he was doing really well but now he no longer cares," she said.

"He hates the place. It seems to be that our children are being let down.

"Not only does my son feel let down but so do I!"

Jane Cannaway, aged 37, of Fairmount Road, Worcester, added that her 14-year-old son, Kyle, is happy at the school.

"My son goes here and yeah it looks like a prison on the outside and I think they need to move the school into a suitable area but I can't fault the school, they do a fantastic job," she said.

"The staff and headteacher do so much for their pupils, parents and carers, my son is happy and doing well there thanks to them.

"He has come a long way and is doing really well, the only problem I have is the area it's in."

Some mothers even defended the Riversides School building, in Spring Gardens, Worcester.

Clare Lane added: "My son also goes there and in my opinion it's a great school and not a prison.

"I felt similar when they said for my son to go there but he's in Year 10 and already sat exams, which he is hoping to pass to take pressure off Year 11.

"The special educational needs lady is amazing too and I've had lots of experience with many schools!"

Cllr Marcus Hart, county council cabinet member for education and skills, said the school is focused on improving outcomes for all children.

"Riversides School in Worcester is an academy. The school is not therefore under our control so regrettably we are not in a position to enable Riversides to move into a new building," he said.

"Any request for a new building will need to be considered by the Education Funding Agency, who manage the funding for academies."

The Riversides Spring Gardens site opened in 2013 and looks after children aged between nine and 11.

Liz Hayward, executive principal of the trust behind the school, previously said Worcestershire County Council backtracked on an agreement that the Spring Gardens building would be a 'temporary solution'.

She said the council went back on this agreement after the school became an academy in 2014.

Riversides is a split-site school and also has a building for younger children in Thorneloe Road, Worcester.

Related: School head demands new building over drug fears