A teenager from Burton has been left devastated after he was not allowed to attend him school prom yesterday, June 30.

16-year-old Lucas Nash was banned from his prom after Abbot Beyne School said he had missed too many revision sessions and had been late too many times.

Mum, Molly Nash, feels the ban is unfair as she had already spent a lot of money on his ticket and suit for the event.

Readers have had mixed opinions on the issue, with many thinking it’s a good way to learn a lesson, but others thinking it was harsh of the school to ban him.

Margaret Hassall said: “Rules are rules. It is time students realised that if you choose to disobey then there are consequences.”

Tori Oakley agreed, saying: “If my boss said you won’t be promoted if you have three periods of absence and I then had three periods of absence, I wouldn’t expect the promotion. The school organise the prom, so it is at their discretion who may go.

“The rules were laid out. He failed to follow them. What does he expect?”

Some readers were more understanding of the situation, with Kira Mahin saying: “I thought prom is a celebration of the children completing their school life. It could be one of the last nights they will see their school friends, not down to a tick list of how many late marks they get. Just let the poor boy go!”

Simon Jarvis said passport systems weren’t a thing at his prom, and added: “Let him go and have a good time!”

Reader, Carol Gadsby looked at both sides of the argument, but still believed that it was harsh of the school to ban him: “It’s a difficult one, yes others have followed the rules but we all make mistakes when we are young. I think banning him is too hard, give him a break.”

Dan Tunks gave some advice to Lucas, saying: “Don’t feel too bad matey, you’re not missing out on much quite frankly.

“Overrated nonsense popularised by Americans and adopted over here. There’ll be plenty more opportunities to have a drink and a laugh with your real friends once you leave school.”

More reader comments...

Katy Rolston: “Totally agree with it. Hopefully it’s a lesson learned and he moved on positively knowing that sometimes in life there is accountability for your actions.”

Christina Potter: “I have no problems with the school – my son attends. Hats off to them for implementing some behaviour strategies. The passport system would have been passed through the School Council at every level, so I think the school have been fair enough.”

Kelly Francis: “I left school in 2011, and in year 11 I was only allowed in school two hours a day because of my behaviour, and I was still allowed to prom. Everyone should be allowed to go to their prom, no matter what.”

Liam Cattell: “I think this is totally fair. I missed out on my prom last year for similar reasons. I was gutted because I’ll never have that chance again, but it was my own fault and I should have done what I was told.”

Rebecca Anne Robinson: “It’s a last chance for them all to celebrate their time at the school with friends before many go different ways. The head shouldn’t be able to stop them going especially as they have paid for the ticket.”

Tom Meadows: “Teenagers need to learn that their actions have consequences.”

Lesley Oakley: “It is so unfair. These kids have spent 11 years studying and he’s not allowed to go because of a few slip ups. The school should be embracing all students, and giving them the opportunity to mix with their peers, some of which they will never see again.”

Rachel Walsh: “It’s a shame really, they should be allowed to celebrate with their friends as long as they are not fighting or making trouble. He will never get this time in his life back – just let him go!”

Lou Hermione Tyers: “I think this is totally unfair and he doesn’t deserve this at all. He had a right to see his own dad and he has a right to go to the prom.”

Sally Fradsham: “I could understand if the kid had done something terrible and been suspended from school, but the things he did are not worthy of this punishment.”

Tyler-John Proudlove: “It seems fair to me. The requirements were set out; he didn’t meet them.”