A Christian mother who refused to allow her four-year-old son to take part in an LGBT “pride parade” at primary school has formally complained to Damian Hinds, the education secretary, that the school had embarked on “systematic proselytism of its young and vulnerable pupils”.

She is also seeking a five-figure sum in compensation from the governing body of Heavers Farm Primary School in Croydon, south London, because she claims her family has been victimised. Izoduwa Montague, 35, said: “We have to make sure parents are back in control of what happens to their children in the school system. I don’t think we wave them goodbye at the school gates and say ‘do what you like with them’.”

A backlash from parents forced the school to