Parent challenges Guernsey school's attendance rule after Prom exclusion

A Guernsey parent says her son is devastated after being told he cannot go to his Year 11 prom because his attendance fell below the school's required threshold.

Les Varendes High pupils are told school attendance levels below 92% mean they cannot go to their Prom.

Island FM was contacted by parent Stef Asquith, whose son has been denied a ticket for the traditional school-leavers event because his attendance for the academic year is 88.4%

She says a blanket attendance doesn't take account of individual circumstance, and that some students have experienced mental health challenges, medical conditions or other personal difficulties that have impacted their attendance.

"Excluding students who have already faced significant challenges can have a further negative impact on their wellbeing and sense of belonging."

The school says its criteria are clearly set out.

In an exchange of emails seen by Island FM, Les Varendes Vice Principal Jason Dodd says they are transparent over the rules:

"We always set out clear milestones for our students to help motivate them toward their full potential.

"Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, [he] hasn't met the criteria required to secure a ticket on this occasion.  We are so sorry to share this disappointing news, as we know how much the event means to our cohort."

Stef says she has appealed for a rethink of the policy, but was refused. 

In a later reply from the school, Mr Dodd said:

"The decision has been reviewed by our Senior Leadership Team and we will not be adapting the parameters of the acceptance to prom.

"We made the criteria for acceptance for the prom clear to all students and parents and to allow the rule to change for one and not the other is not equitable practise."

Stef says it seems unfair:

"He is very upset, he has his suit ready and (wants) to go and enjoy his late night with all his friends.

"It would be nice if Education could look at this rule and regulation regarding attendance for the Year 11s so that they can just attend their prom and just enjoy their last night before going into the big world wide.

"They have worked so hard to get where they are today, so I think they should just drop the rule."

Island FM understands the Prom ban also affects St Sampson's High. 

Stef told Island FM: "Families are not seeking to undermine the importance of attendance but are calling for greater flexibility, compassion, and consideration of individual cases.

"They believe that students dealing with genuine health or well being issues should not be treated in the same way as those with unexplained or avoidable absences."

Verona Tomlin, the principal of Les Varendes High, says pupils and parents were made aware, verbally and in writing, of the behaviour expected in the last term:

"At the start of the Easter term, we spoke to all our Year 11 students about our expectations for the final months of their time at the school.

"We reset all attendance records to 100% and behaviour points to zero, giving every student a fresh start and an equal opportunity to finish the year positively."

She adds:

"A very small number of students have not met those expectations.

"The decision about participation in end-of-year celebrations has not been made on the basis of a single incident or attendance percentage.

"Each student has been considered individually, with input from the staff who know them best."

"Students whose attendance has been affected by legitimate reasons have not been disadvantaged.

"We recognise that this is an important milestone for our students, but at the same time, part of our role as a school is to help young people understand that choices and actions have consequences."