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Family Claim Son Is Banned From Prom Over 'Grudge'

Family Claim Son Is Banned From Prom Over 'Grudge'

The 16-year-old was told he wouldn't be welcomed at the end-of-year party due to a lack of involvement in extra-curricular activities

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Two parents are fuming after their son was banned from his school prom for what they believe is a 'grudge'.

Sixteen-year-old Kyle Gordon was told he wouldn't be welcomed at the end-of-year party at St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive in south east London due to a lack of involvement in extra-curricular activities.

SWNS

However, dad Alan reckons the school has a grudge against the teen after forcing him to shave his facial hair last year. The family have since launched a petition in an attempt to get the school to rethink their decision.

Alan said: "Kyle had never used a razor in his life before. He only had about four or five hairs on his chin.

"He cut himself to bits. Obviously, my wife went mad. We went to the council and we made them change their rule.

"The head obviously didn't like that and has held a grudge ever since. This is his way of getting back at my wife."

Following the incident where he was forced to shave, Kyle's mum Fatima wrote to the local council demanding that the school change the rules surrounding shaving.

The council's director for children's services seemingly sided with the family, writing back to say there was 'evidence to confirm that a professional has behaved in a way that was inappropriate'. The director's letter continued: "It caused immense emotional distress to your son and the child was physically harmed as a result, albeit minor."

Now, after forking out £180 on a suit for the prom, Kyle has been told he can't go - in a letter, headteacher Markus Ryan explained the decision, writing: "The end of year ball is an event which was set up by me as a celebration of the life of the school.

"Your son has not participated at all with regard to extra-curricular or other activities and therefore cannot attend."

SWNS

However, Alan says other kids who don't take part in out-of-school activities have been permitted to go.

He added: "My son is absolutely devastated. He crumbled when he received the news - he was banned from this important day.

"He is in bits - he is crying and losing sleep wondering what he has done wrong.

"He's such a polite, sensitive boy and has done exceptionally well at school."

The family's petition has gained over 1000 signatures after it's been shared online.

The petition reads, in part: which reads: "A decision has been made by Mr Ryan and Mr Jamieson of St Thomas More school, Eltham to ban Kyle Gordon from attending the school prom on the grounds of to quote: 'Your son has not participated at all with regards to extra-curricular or other activities and therefore cannot attend'.

"Kyle has helped with a cake sale, open evening, Drama production.

"After school clubs that he has attended: drums lessons, rugby, football, basketball and boxing. He has also delivered hampers to the elderly at Christmas."

WATCH: BULLIED TEEN TURNS UP TO PROM WITH 120 BIKERS


Following the backlash, headteacher Markus Ryan reportedly considered cancelling the prom. In a letter seen by News Shopper, he wrote: "Due to recent negative publicity surrounding this year's Leavers' Ball, the school feel it may be necessary to cancel the event.

"Senior Managers will meet tomorrow morning [Friday 6 July] to discuss and finalise a decision.

"You will be informed by email and text message of the outcome of the decision by 11.00am on Friday 6 July."

A bit of a tense wait for parents who had already splashed out on new outfits for their kids, then.

However, in a statement released this morning, Mr Ryan wrote that the prom would go ahead as planned, writing: "Firstly, I would like to thank the many parents and carers who have contacted the school expressing their wish for the event to take place.

"The positive comments from parents and carers have been taken into account. We are also mindful of the financial outlay they will have incurred on behalf of their sons and daughters.

"Having discussed the matter at length, Senior Leaders have taken the decision to allow the function to proceed.

"We are sure students will enjoy the celebrations and look forward to seeing them this evening."

LADbible has reached out to St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive for comment.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, prom