Durham Constabulary has confirmed that police were called to Ramside Hall near Durham on Friday night following reports of criminal damage during a school prom for Year 11 pupils from Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy in Birtley, Gateshead. The event was shut down around 9pm, two hours earlier than planned, after allegations that students sprayed soap in toilets and blocked them with toilet roll.
Police Response and Parental Concerns
A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: "Police were called just before 9.25pm on Friday (July 10) following reports of a criminal damage incident at Ramside Hall, near Durham. Children attending a school prom were alleged to have sprayed soap in the toilets and blocked the toilets with toilet roll." Parents have expressed disappointment, with one mother telling ChronicleLive: "This prom was a massive milestone for many of our students who have shown immense resilience this year." She added that some pupils faced serious health challenges and that it was "heartbreaking" that they had been "failed" by the way the event was called to a halt.
Principal's Account of Incidents
On Saturday, school principal Dr Andrew Fowler wrote to parents and carers, explaining that the prom had "regrettably" been brought to an end on the order of venue management after the meal, dancing, and photographs. His letter detailed allegations of damage to venue areas, including toilets, and stated that the venue management indicated the school would be held liable for associated costs. Dr Fowler added that anyone identified as responsible would be held "fully accountable."
Dr Fowler said: "The decision to end the event almost two hours before its scheduled finish followed several serious incidents during the evening. These included violence involving students, aggressive behaviour towards venue staff by some parents and repeated damage to the venue, particularly within the girls' toilets. Throughout the evening, school staff worked closely and professionally with venue staff to address concerns and prevent the event from being ended. Staff presence and extra vigilance was increased in problem areas to quickly control the situation, but despite this, a minority of students continued to cause damage in areas school staff and venue staff could not monitor, such as inside toilet cubicles."
Mixed Reactions and Next Steps
Dr Fowler also thanked "the overwhelming majority of our Year 11 students, parents and carers whose conduct throughout the evening reflected positively on both themselves and our school community." Ramside Hall has been contacted for further comment. Parents have questioned why the actions of a small number of pupils led to the majority losing out on the final two hours of the milestone event.
