Parents of pupils at an Eltham school which banned a student from attending its prom have been forced to wait overnight to see if the event will still go ahead.

After News Shopper reported on how Kyle Gordon, 16, was told to stay away from tonights St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive's prom – the head of the school sent a letter to parents yesterday saying the event may be cancelled.

Executive headmaster Markus Ryan wrote to parents yesterday: “Due to recent negative publicity surrounding this year’s Leavers’ Ball, the school feel it may be necessary to cancel the event.

“Senior Managers will meet tomorrow morning (Friday 6 July) to discuss and finalise a decision.

“You will be informed by email and text message of the outcome of the decision by 11.00am on Friday 6 July.”

Parents and pupils were forced to wait for the decision to be made until this morning, less than 12 hours before the prom was due to go ahead, with many having spent money on outfits for the prom and transport.

A new statement sent out by Mr Ryan at 11.34am today read: "Firstly, I would like to thank the many parents and carers who have contacted the school expressing their wish for the event to take place.

"The positive comments from parents and carers have been taken into account. We are also mindful of the financial outlay they will have incurred on behalf of their sons and daughters.

"Having discussed the matter at length, Senior Leaders have taken the decision to allow the function to proceed.

"We are sure students will enjoy the celebrations and look forward to seeing them this evening."

Kyle's father said he paid £45 for a prom ticket on March 22, but was told his son was banned only just over a week before the event on June 27 and did not believe he had been refunded the money yet.

The school claims Kyle, who also has special education needs for speech, language, and dyslexia, was banned from the ball for not doing enough extra curricular activities.

But the 16-year-old's parents felt the decision may have been made following an incident last year where he was forced to shave in school.

His dad, Allan Gordon, told this newspaper how his son “cut himself to bits” which led to an investigation by Greenwich children’s service where a complaint was substantiated.

Over 1,300 people signed a petition to get the school's decision to ban Kyle reversed.

Link to petition - https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/kyle-gordon-to-attend-st-thomas-more-prom-1

We understand Kyle is still not permitted to attend the prom and his ban has not been overturned. 

News Shopper contacted St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive for comment, but did not receive a response.