A schoolgirl burst into tears on being told she was banned from the prom after splashing more than £500 on her dream dress. Aimee Wilkinson, 15, was devastated at being told she was uninvited from the leavers do.
But her headteacher defended the decision and said only pupils meeting pre-arranged criteria could go. These include attendance, behaviour and effort - with Aimee failing to meet all of them, according to her teachers.
Gail Wilkinson, Aimee's nan, said the family were made aware of North Durham Academy's decision via a voicemail from the school just two days before the event. The news came as a bitter blow, not least as Gail told how she forked out £35 for a ticket for Aimee three weeks ago.
