• The popularity of American films and TV shows, such as Glee, has led to the tradition of the school disco being replaced by American style Proms. Proms are now big business with many shops catering specially for the event, along with hairdressers and car hire companies. Teenagers often hit the headlines for drinking and antisocial behavior. In contrast, this feature shows a group of young adults taking pride in getting dressed up, hitting the dance floor and celebrating a mile stone in their education.

    After months of preparation more than 200 final year students aged 15 to 16 from Cramlington Learning Village attended a leaver’s prom at St James Park, Newcastle. The prom marks the end of GCSE examinations and the completion of their high school studies.


  • Student Jessica Rutherford has her hair styled before the school prom.
  • Student Erin Bowmaker applies make-up before the school prom
  • (L-R) Katrina Cooper, Erin Bowmaker, Jessica Rutherford & Lorella Mango apply their make-up before the school prom on.
  • Jessica Rutherford tries on her prom dress.
  • Katrina Cooper is helped by Jessica Rutherford to put her dress on before the school prom.
  • Lorella Mango applies lipstick
  • Students pose for pictures at a gathering before they travel on a bus to the school prom.
  • Matthew Rayner, Reece Appleby, Kyle Walker and Frazer Burns pose for pictures with school friends.
  • Matthew Rayner and Erin Bowmaker pose for pictures with school friends
  • Erin Bowmaker (left) and Lorella Mango (right) apply lip gloss on the bus to the school prom
  • Students arrive at St James' Park
  • Kyle Walker, Frazer Burns and Connor Selby blow bubbles during the school prom
  • Kieran Sainty enjoys the prom at St James' Park
  • Paul Prince hugs his prom date Jessica Cotton during the school prom
  • A balloon floats in the function room at St James' Park
  • Student Toni-Jane Nichol poses for a photograph takes a break from dancing at St James' Park
  • Students on the dancefloor
  • Students perform dance routines to the song "Macara" on the dancefloor
  • Franchesca Scott dances with friends
  • James Pervis tries on a friend hat during the prom
  • Clare Hall & Lauren davies (center) queue at the bar to buy soft drinks
  • Students on the dancefloor
  • Prom king Daniel Milne, dances with his girlfriend and prom queen, Lauren Butler
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