A GROUP of angry mums have joined forces to organise a rebel prom after their children were banned by a school.

About 20 pupils, including the head boy and head girl, have been told to stay away from the official prom, which is being held at Orsett Hall.

The pupils, who attend Hassenbrook School, Stanford-le-Hope, were sent letters telling them they had been banned because they were seen by a teacher taking part in an egg-and-flour fight.

However, their parents say the pupils were merely standing in the playground signing end of year books when the fight broke out.

The angry parents have got together and organised an alternative prom at the Plough, in Bulphan, so their children do not miss out.

Lisa Howley, 40, of Malpas Road, Chadwell St Mary, mum of head boy Mitchell, 16, said: “He has worked so hard over this year.

“He has gone to many after-school activities and all the children worked hard to earn prom points to be able to go to it.

“Now it has been taken away by something so silly.

“All the mums feel upset and angry and do not think it is fair when our children just happened to be in the playground. Not all the children who were in the playground even got a letter.

“My son came home with a clean uniform and was really looking forward to the prom. The children have spent five years together and are upset.”

Mrs Howley said the parents had spent about £300 on each child, paying for their outfits, accessories, transport to the venue and tickets for the event and they could not let them miss out.

Donna Carter, 47, of Gordon Road, Grays, is upset for her daughter Elle.

She said: “I had a private meeting with the headteacher and he agreed if it had been a different teacher who went into the playground, different children would have been picked out.

“But because this teacher had taught some of the pupils in the past, those were the only ones he was able to pick out. The situation is unfair and ridiculous.”

Richard Glasby, headteacher of Hassenbrook School, said: "On the last Friday before half term some pupils in Year 11 took their leaving celebrations too far.

“Others became involved over a period of about half an hour.

“Some pupils behaved badly, while others provided an audience which encouraged this behaviour.

“The school has taken action against those whom staff identified as being involved.

“Poor behaviour like this will not be tolerated.”