A MOTHER says her son is “devastated” after his school banned him from taking a day off to appear in a TV advert.

Ethan Solomon-Roberts was denied permission to participate in Sainsbury’s ‘Back To School’ ad by Oakhill Primary School in Alders Avenue, Woodford Green.

The six-year-old’s mother Janet Roberts says she was “completely shocked” at the school’s decision.

Ms Roberts, of Hollywood Way in Woodford Green, says she feels the school is discriminating against her son for his choice of hobby.

The 42-year-old, who teaches in Chingford and has another daughter, Catherine, six, said: “It was just one day. I didn’t think this could happen in any circumstance.

“Ethan was really devastated because he had gone through the process of auditioning. I didn’t think twice about there being an issue with the school because I’m a teacher myself.

“If it was a sports activity he would have been allowed to go. There’s no valuable reason not to let him go. I would have been on the set with him doing schoolwork so he wouldn’t have fallen behind.

“It would have been a wonderful opportunity.”

Ethan has been undergoing play therapy since Ms Roberts’ civil partner Michelle Solomon passed away in 2012 and modelling could help boost his confidence.

The Year 2 pupil was scouted by agent Nicola Caretta of Mini Models Agency at a pantomime in Woodford Green last January.

After the school refused to authorise a day off for Ethan, Ms Caretta asked Waltham Forest Council to override the decision but the request was denied.

Ms Caretta said: “It’s unbelievable. In a year of running my agency I have never had any other school refuse one day authorised leave for entertainment.

“Most schools fully support and encourage pupils in different areas to academics but unfortunately the school blocked Ethan from doing the ad.

“He did amazing in the auditions and it would have been his first job.

“He is a really lovely, smiley child with long curly hair. He’s just gorgeous.”

A spokesperson for Waltham Forest Council said: “The decision on whether a child’s learning will be affected is made by the school, and the council’s policy is not to override this. In this case the school has decided that the child should not be allowed to take time out to participate.”

“If a school is satisfied that a work placement will not have a negative impact on the child’s learning and the council does not identify any safeguarding concerns than a licence can be issued as requested.”

A spokesperson for Oakhill Primary School said: “We believe that punctuality and good attendance are essential for all pupils, to ensure they can benefit fully from their education to reach their full potential, both academically and socially. We aim to ensure that all pupils achieve maximum possible attendance and that any barriers to this are identified and acted upon as soon as possible. The school aims at 100% attendance for pupils.

“The school can approve absence in “exceptional circumstances”, which are outlined in the Department for Education guidelines.”