A SOUTHAMPTON school is appealing for donations to help give their Year 11 leavers a prom to remember.

Woodlands Community College is aiming to raise £2,000 for a Leavers Prom.

This year, students have been unable to carry out fundraising at school due to the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions in place.

Bake sales, charity events and fundraising plans have not gone ahead, and despite students paying for their tickets more funds are needed.

The school will be hosting a prom at the school site, and it says that this change of plans is much more expensive than the original venue.

They are appealing to the community and local businesses to help.

Allison Sharples, Year 11 Assistant head of Year at Woodlands Community College, said: "As you know, the last 18 months have been difficult for everyone, but none more so than those students who are just leaving school.

"They have experienced real difficulties in working on their GCSE courses from home, as well as a complex and challenging schedule of assessments to receive their grades.

"We were hoping that their Leavers’ Prom would be the very special event that they deserve to congratulate them on their resilient approach to these tough times, however the recent extension of Covid 19 regulations mean that we have had to cancel our original plans.

"We are desperate to give our Year 11s the send-off that they deserve, and will be hosting a Prom at the school site instead.

"This is much more expensive than the original venue, and we would really like to ask the community to help us save our prom.

"We need to raise money to meet the additional costs, so our Year 11s can still have their special evening, and celebrate all that they have achieved.

"Students have not been able to do their school fundraising due to the Covid restrictions, so bake sales, charity events and their fun fundraising plans have sadly not happened.

"Students have paid for their tickets but this has not covered the cost of the new plans.

"If there are any businesses or local people that could donate to help us raise the money that can make their prom the event that they will remember instead of Covid, we would be so grateful."

Anyone who would be interested in making a donation is asked to contact Allison at Allison.Sharples@Woodlands.southampton.sch.uk.