Another worried parent has spoken out after the Government’s decision to pull funding for a free school in Bradford left her son, who suffers from learning difficulties, in tears and refusing to eat.

Farzana Hussain, 35, said herself and her 11-year-old son Ismaaeel Ali, are struggling to deal with the “bombshell” that the Department for Education will not be funding the One in a Million Free School based at Bradford City’s Valley Parade .

She said: “My son suffers from learning difficulties, communication and anger management problems and is quite depressed in himself.

“We went to look around other schools before this one but there were too many children there and he wasn’t happy. We met the teachers at the One in a Million school and he just loved it, the head of his old school told the teachers about him and we were all happy.

“Hearing this news was like a bombshell. Everything has turned upside down for us.”

Ismaaeel may attend Carlton Bolling College , Undercliffe Lane, if his place is still available, but he has now missed the transition period.

It is understood there have been Government concerns over the school’s pupil recruitment figures which stood at 30, and viability.

The 30 sets of parents have now been left trying to find alternative places for their children to start the academic year next week.

Councillor Ralph Berry , executive member for children and young people’s services, said he thought the Government should reimburse parents for the cost of the school uniforms.

He said: “They can’t treat people like this. It is just wrong.

“We have got places for all the children but what we can’t tell is if the parents will be happy. We have been put in a difficult situation ourselves.”

Wayne Jacobs , co-founder of the One in a Million charity said they were awaiting feedback from the Department for Education regarding its recommendation for deferment to September 2013.

He said they will seriously consider a deferred opening but would ensure they have concrete guarantees if they do.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “Setting up a free school is a difficult task and we thank One in a Million for all their hard work. We still hope that One in a Million will open in 2013.

“We understand that the parents and children hoping to attend One in a Million will be disappointed.

“We have assurances from Bradford Local Authority that every child will have a school place this September.”