Students and staff at Lawn Manor Academy are gearing up for a prom event that everyone can enjoy - no matter their financial situation - with a donation initiative.
Lawn Manor staff say the end of school prom is a rite of passage and a chance to mark the achievements made at school and to celebrate with friends and teachers.
However, with the ever-rising cost of living and current economic crisis potentially putting a barrier to pupils being able to attend this year’s event, the Lawn Manor Academy team says it has been working hard to overcome the obstacles.
The academy's latest initiative is to provide a bank of formal clothes available to pupils who may not have the means to purchase or hire their own outfits.
Thanks to their successful pre-loved sale earlier this year, the school has already started to build a prom wardrobe, and they are now calling out to the local community to donate unwanted eveningwear to the cause.
Assistant headteacher, Marek Koza, explained: “Prom is a highlight of the year for our students, however many of our families are finding this year financially tougher than before. For many of our families, the cost of a prom dress could be the same as their monthly food budget and so we wanted to be able to alleviate some of this pressure by starting this selection of outfits that pupils could shop from for free.
“We held back some great pieces that were donated to our pre-loved sale and our staff are also raiding their own wardrobes too. We’d particularly welcome any more donations from our community, including evening dresses, suits, ties, shoes and bags.”
Lawn Manor Academy is expecting this year’s prom to be the biggest event they’ve held yet. It is due to take place at the end of July in the Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Swindon.
Marek Koza added: “We always aim to make the evening as memorable as possible, and Ms Rani, who’s in charge of organising the prom, always makes it a fabulous event.
"We provide food, a disco and an awards presentation with award categories that the children vote for themselves, including ‘most likely to be Prime Minister’ and ‘most likely to turn up late to their own wedding’!”
Donations of eveningwear and accessories can be made to the school’s reception.
More information on Lawn Manor Academy, which is part of the Ascend Learning Trust can be found on its website at www.lawnmanor.org.
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