The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Academy students will not be part of the Joint Spalding Secondary Schools’ Prom this year.
They will have their own prom, leaving Spalding Grammar School and Spalding High School as the only partners in the annual Year 11 event.
The decision has upset some Spalding Academy pupils and parents, who claim they have not been given a reason and believe the move will be a backward step for the closer relationship which the three schools have enjoyed in recent years.
A spokesman for the school said: “Spalding Academy is now sponsored by the South Lincolnshire Academies Trust. Their policy is to have a prom for student leavers at their two schools.
“With a Year 11 cohort of over 220 students, the Spalding Academy 2017 Prom will be a big event, requiring a lot of time and effort in the planning.
“The trust takes the organisation of this event very seriously and does not feel able to take responsibility for students from other schools.
“There will be a separate event for Bourne Academy students, with a cohort of over 200 students, with the same commitment required from the trust.”
Denise Muncey, a parent of a Spalding Academy pupil, is annoyed by the decision and claims several others feel the same way.
She says the trust is making good progress towards improving the school, but this is one change which is not welcome.
“There has been absolutely no trouble since the three schools started this joint prom,” said Mrs Muncey. “This was different schools and different standards of education coming together and enjoying each other’s company.
“This particular Spalding Academy year has seen a lot of changes during its time and this split is not what they want or deserve.
“A separate prom was first talked about in October and some of the kids voiced their opinions, asking ‘why can’t we just carry on and have the three-way prom?’ Nobody got back to them.
“Some of those at Spalding Academy have been friends with grammar school and high school pupils since they were at pre-school together.”
The joint secondary schools’ prom usually takes place in the main hall at Springfields Events Centre. However, the split has led to the grammar school and high school having to find a smaller venue. It will be at the South Holland Centre on Friday, June 30.
Spalding Academy’s prom will be held four days later, still at Springfields but in the smaller Marquee Suite.
A Spalding Grammar School spokesman said: “With just two schools remaining (SHS and SGS) the large Springfields venue was not cost effective (and too large for our needs). The South Holland Centre proved to be more convenient and cost-effective.”
