THE mother of a Berengarra student is concerned her son will injure himself or turn to crime if the school is closed.

The Journal has seen a letter from a Royal Children's Hospital general pediatrics consultant that states a 14-year-old boy enrolled at Berengarra was not able to cope in a mainstream school.

He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and significant generalised anxiety disorder and was at risk of a breakdown if he attended a mainstream school.

The boy has had significant difficulties adjusting to school life and had not coped with a full mainstream education at any time.

He found the playground and non-structured environments very difficult and his impulsivity at times caused significant difficulties with aggression, the letter said.

"When he becomes anxious or feels criticised or threatened, his behaviour can deteriorate quite significantly. I do not believe he is able to cope with the demands of mainstream secondary education."

Speaking to the Journal, the boy's mother, who did not want to be named, said his future was hanging in the balance.

"Could the Education Department please tell me why children with social, emotional and mental issues are overlooked so easily?"