Parents and their children are demanding answers after a group of Year 11 pupils were "denied entry" to their leavers' celebration yesterday.
Around 12pm on Thursday, June 15, parents told LeedsLive that their children were banned from entering the gates at Benton Park School in Rawdon. Angry mums and dads claimed the school doors and gates were "barricaded" shut and pupils were left waiting outside.
"Benton Park School refusing to allow Year 11 students to attend leaving do," one parents said in a Yeadon community group. Crowds of students were pictured waiting outside while parents left work for the day to protest after "no communication" from the school, they said.
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LeedsLive has seen a letter sent out to parents from acting assistant headteacher Laura Dixon. It outlined a set of rules and the itinerary for the leavers' assembly.
The letter, which was issued on June 13, said: "Dear parent/carer. As the GCSE examinations come to a close, we would like to inform you about the arrangements for the Year 11 Leavers' Assembly on Thursday June 15.
"The plan for the the assembly is as follows - students must arrive at school for 8.25am ready for the Science Super Learning session during Period 1 and Period 2. The Leavers Assembly will begin at the start of period 3 in the main hall. There will be speakers and celebrations of their five years. Students will be able to pick up their hoodies, and shirt signing will take place following the assembly.
"We expect the event to be finished by lunch at 12.10pm and students can leave following this. Students are expected to attend school for a full morning at 8.25am and they should wear full school uniform for the day."
Cheryl Bassett-Williamson, who is a parent of a pupil at the school, said: "My son had permission to attend the assembly however, when he arrived at the gates they were not letting any students in." Kelly Lund added: "My daughter was one of the children they wouldn't let in, barricaded the door so she couldn't get past."
"Can parents who have children there for next year's leaving celebration all get together to arrange your own leaving celebration," Graham said.
Lindsey Wood added: "No child should miss out on their leaving celebration. They have had a rough few years with Covid, they have missed out on so much."
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One eyewitness said: "Pupils are all gathered outside the school gates and are not being allowed in for their leavers' assembly. Many of these students have SEN/mental health difficulties. No communication from the school, my son included. The school have put security on the gates to disallow pupils to enter."
LeedsLive has approached Benton Park School and Leeds City Council for a comment.
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