A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy is heartbroken after losing his role as a wise man in a school nativity because he was off sick before the show.

Alfie Downes was crushed when a teacher told him he had lost his crown and role in the play after battling chickenpox for a week at home.

Alfie had been practising for his non-speaking role while recovering and couldn't understand why his crown was given to another child, while he was off sick.

His mother, Hayley Bott, 28, claims she called St Francis School several times during the week to explain her son was too ill to attend and was told nothing about his part being given away.

She said: "I get to school on Monday for his teacher to tell me he is no longer a wise man because he was off and it has been given to someone else. My son, who is six, was obviously very upset and asked 'why?' She replied, 'because you were off ill'."

Miss Bott said she took the matter to the head teacher, Alex Augustus, who said the part had been given away because it had changed, and the role needed to be rehearsed.

Miss Bott has since rubbished the head teacher's excuse, as she has now seen the play and the part had not been changed.

"I am disappointed and disgusted by how my child has been treated for being ill, they have our contact details and not once have they mentioned it," said Miss Bott.

"How can you do this to a child?"

Amanda Johnson, CEO of the Multi-Academy Trust which sponsors St Francis Catholic and Church of England Primary Academy said: "A child was absent from the academy last week with chickenpox.

"The child had a part in the nativity performance. It was unclear as to whether the child would be well enough to return in time for the performance and therefore the child’s part was issued to another child.

"The unwell child has now returned to the academy and was provided with an alternative part in the nativity. We were pleased that the child was well enough to perform.

"The principal of the academy has spoken and met with the parents of the child to discuss and endeavour to resolve the matter."

Miss Bott said her son was not given another role as such, but was allowed into the play to sit alongside a group of shepherds.

"I had to watch my son come out [of the play] crying his eyes out. He was so upset, I didn't know what to do. I just think its disgusting to do that to children."

Alfie wasn't allowed to play the role as one of the three wise men on either date of the play.