A dad has hit out at his daughter's school after she was banned from attending prom despite him having spent £500 in preparation for it.
Polam Hall School in Darlington, County Durham, threw a prom for its Year 11 students in celebration of them completing their GCSEs.
However, 16-year-old Lillie Grainger wasn't allowed to attend.
Her father, Matthew, has been left outraged after paying £500 for a prom ticket and dress.
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In order to attend the prom students had to secure a total of 500 points.The points can be gained through 'attending study club and tutoring sessions, attendance and punctuality to both school and lessons and maintaining and increasing their average Attitude to Learning Grades,' according to the school's head teacher Kate Reid.
Matthew paid for Lillie's ticket and dress because the 16-year-old believed she had acquired the amount of points needed.
However, it was later revealed Lillie had only accumulated 491.5 points, with the student claiming points must have been taken off her score.
The pupil thinks the reduction in points took place because of her being off ill for a period of time.
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But according to Reid, the only way pupils can have points redacted from their scores if for 'negative behaviour incidents'.
Lillie's dad has claimed that when he made the '£200 deposit for a dress' he knew his daughter hadn't reached the minimum number of points, but that Reid reassured him Lillie 'wouldn't have any problem getting there'.
He continued: "When the ticket appeared on Parent Pay I took it that she had reached 500 points so paid for it and the rest of the money for the dress.
"After half term they told her she wouldn’t be going to prom because she was eight-and-a-half points short.
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"They are letting me pay for the ticket, pay for the dress, and the alterations, and then taking points from her. I’m about £550 out of pocket."
Reid responded: "All Year 11 students and parents were first informed in November that they would need 500 points to attend prom.
"The students began the year with 500 points to give them the best possible chance of attending and there have been regular updates for both students and parents throughout the spring and summer terms."
The headteacher explained there have been 'many ways' for students to be able to 'increase their reward points'.
She also noted the school 'cannot comment on an individual student’s record, but it is not the case that any student had points removed for poor attendance'.
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Reid added: "Refunds have already been given to parents who had paid for a prom ticket in advance."
LADbible has contacted Polam Hall School for comment.
Poppy Bilderbeck