The parents of a 13-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome have won an 18-month battle against Croydon Council to get their son into a special school.

John and Zoulfia Hall, were thrilled when their son Charles started at St Dominic's in Goldalming after spending nearly two years in isolation at home.

Asperger’s is a form of autism and those affected have difficulty communicating and socialising with other people as they are unable to interpret emotions.

The Hall’s battle began when Charles, a talented artist, was turned away from the Royal Alexandra and Albert School (RAA) on his first day in September 2008 because they said there was no place for him.

The Croydon Guardian covered the incident, which the school blamed on a misunderstanding with Croydon Council. The authority said he had a confirmed place at RAA but the school refused to change its position and accept the boy, who was just 11 years old at the time.

Charles spent the next 18 months at home, his only human contact, apart from his family, was a “fantastic” tutor, Roger Boff, who inspired him with a such a passion for chemistry that the intelligent boy was tackling difficult GCSE papers on the subject.

Mr Hall said: “Croydon Council wanted to send Charles to the special needs unit attached to New Addington School, which I visited and knew was not for Charles.”

Mr Hall, spent most of last year putting together his son’s appeal for the special educational needs and disability tribunal.

The 13-year-old also has Tourette’s syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Mrs Hall said: “Charles would not cope in a class of 30 other children, with his problems, they would laugh at him and tease him.

“Charles is clever and I want him to contribute to society. At St Dominic's he is taught social skills, he can make friends with children like him and also study for his GCSEs.

“It has been a nightmare for John and I am so happy he is finally at a school with other children.”

A spokesman for Croydon Council said: “The special educational needs team have been working closely with the family to resolve Charles’ longer-term education. Home tuition has been provided for him and the family has been satisfied with this.

“In September 2009 the council did offer a place at Addington High School which has the appropriate specialism there to support Charles, but his parents did not find this offer as a suitable placement for their son.”