A group of pupils are demanding action from their school over their controversial prom eligibility point system which means some of their pals must miss out.
The students have been left disappointed after a number of their friends and classmates were not allowed to attend the end-of-year prom at Malet Lambert School in Hull, Yorkshire, because of issues like their attendance and uniform. Now they have written a letter asking for change.
The school operates a point system to decide if a child should be allowed to go to prom, a highly anticipated event in year 11 to celebrate their school lives. Several factors such as behaviour and compliance all play a part after it was introduced last summer. The school stresses that students with health issues affecting their attendance are not disadvantaged.
However, a group of 10 final-year students got together and wrote an open letter to the headteacher Patrick Sprakes expressing their "devastation" at the rules and asking for change after discovering that some friends were not invited to the event on May 29. They argued that the prom is a "once-in-a-lifetime" occasion and a "celebration" that everyone should be able to partake in.
They've written a letter asking for things to be changed (YORKSHIRE LIVE)They wrote: "We agree that the pupils with very bad behaviour issues do not deserve to go, however we feel that it is unfair on the students that aren't allowed to go due to issues such as uniform and attendance as they face consequences already through detentions and typically come into school, work hard, and try their best in lessons."
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One student, who didn't want to be named, told Hull Live many students began buying prom suits and dresses back in February, rather than waiting until the invite list was released on May 29. "By the time the school told pupils and parents when they can definitely attend they only have four weeks' notice which is not enough time to buy everything," they said.
The formal attire "takes time to import and alter to fit their sizes", they added. The student also mentioned the challenge of arranging transport for the event. However, the school states all students are informed of the strict rules at the beginning of the year and are given numerous reminders and updates throughout school terms reminding them.
In a statement, a representative for the school said: "The eligibility criteria for the leavers' prom, like many schools, has been running for a number of years. Pupils and parents are clearly notified of the criteria a year in advance and receive regular personalised updates sent home throughout the year, in terms of their predicted eligibility."
"At the time of launching our most recent prom criteria in July 2023, in preparation for pupils starting in Year 11, the school didn't receive any challenges regarding the criteria from pupils or parents. No pupils are ineligible for the prom who have ongoing medical conditions."
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