A mum with an autistic son who has life-threatening medical needs is to be interviewed under police caution after pulling him out of primary school to protect him from Covid.

Sarah Paxman removed eight-year-old Stanley from classes a week before the first national lockdown in March 2020.

She has now been sent a letter asking her to attend an interview under police caution with a council inclusion officer at Linden Bridge School because of his ‘poor level of attendance’.

The full time carer, 38, has long Covid and is adamant that she will not expose her son to the virus as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly throughout the country.

Stanley has complex medical needs, which include the urticaria skin condition and a weakened immune system.

He has two EpiPens, which are used in medical emergencies for severe allergic reactions and has previously gone into anaphylactic shock.

The single mother, from Epsom, Surrey is home-schooling the bright pupil because she is among parents who believe not enough has been done to protect children from the spread of the virus.

Miss Paxman spoke as cases at primary schools reached high levels, with scientific advisers hoping that the Christmas holidays will bring down levels.

She said: ‘I took my boy out of school to protect him from Covid a week before the lockdown began because I could see how things were going.

‘I would sooner go to prison than send him back before he has been vaccinated. If he is exposed, he could be fine, but on the other hand he could fall severely ill.

‘A common childhood illness can send him into anaphylactic shock, so I’ve got no idea what this virus could do to him, but I’ve experienced first-hand the effect it can have on people.

‘The guidelines for schools do nothing to stop transmission, it’s a disgrace.

‘My son is not going back until I’m ready and he’s had two doses.

‘They have said I can de-register him at any time but I’m a vulnerable parent who will end up losing my child’s place at a special school. He’s an intelligent boy and he was doing well at the school.

‘I have nothing against the school but Stanley means absolutely everything to me. They can threaten me all they want, but I live and breathe for my boy. He’s my world and I’ll do everything in my power to protect him.’

Miss Paxman says the ongoing impact of the virus on her life has reinforced her view that she wants to protect her son from infection.

She is among parents who believe that not enough has been done to stop Covid transmission in schools, despite government reassurances.

The letter sent to Miss Paxman by Surrey County Council informs her that the interview is to be held at the special school in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

This means she will be formally cautioned under the following terms: ‘You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.

‘Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’

Miss Paxman, who is a paid carer for her mum, said she is receiving legal advice over the situation, which could lead to a fine.

‘Because my son has an educational care plan they can’t throw him out,’ she said. ‘But there are thousands and thousands of parents out there who have had to de-register or who have to send their children into school day after day, worrying if they’ll get Covid.

‘I’ve had Covid myself and it’s taken half my life away, I’ve never experienced anything like it, so I’m prepared to fight this all the way.’

Miss Paxman also reacted to the ongoing Downing Street Christmas parties saga, where the government has so far escaped police investigation.

‘I’m speechless, but at the same time I’m not phased,’ she said.

‘This goes to the top and at the very top you have Boris Johnson. If I believe in something, I fight for it, and I want to protect my boy.’

As the government introduced its ‘Plan B’ Covid measures, ministers have insisted that schools will be the last sector to shut if a lockdown takes place.

Education unions have called for face masks in classrooms and stricter rules on ventilation as Omicron continues to spread.

At the end of November, there were 208,000 state school pupils in England absent due to Covid, a rise of 60% over a fortnight – with the number expected to increase when the latest figures are released on Tuesday.

At present, government measures to arrest the spread of the virus in schools include close contacts being handled by NHS Test and Trace.

In primaries, face coverings are recommended for staff and adults when moving around corridors and communal areas.

Other ‘control measures’ include ‘ensuring good hygiene for everyone’, maintaining ‘appropriate’ cleaning regimes, keeping ‘occupied spaces’ well ventilated and following public health advice in relation to confirmed cases.

A spokesman for the council said: ‘It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment on the specifics of individual children. There are a variety of factors which could affect a child’s attendance at school and we always take these into account. However, Surrey County Council is responsible for encouraging and monitoring attendance and it is important that children attend school to support their development and wellbeing.’

A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘Education remains a national priority and being in school is vital both for young people’s education and for their mental health.

‘We have strengthened our protective measures in a targeted and proportionate way while we find out more about the Omicron variant.

‘The Covid mitigation measures in place day-to-day in schools strike a balance between managing transmission risk – with the offer of the vaccine, regular testing for older students and enhanced ventilation – and reducing disruption to children’s education experiences.’

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