REGARDING “Teen barred from school prom” (Guardian, June 17).

The accompanying photo says it all, a young girl, sitting there, broken hearted, in her new frock, being consoled by mum who is £260 out of pocket because the school won't take the risk that her daughter, having apparently caused problems in the more controlled school environment, won't be on her best behaviour at the ball.

It's all part of scaremongering by so called educationalists who keep reporting, that an hour a day is lost in children's education due to bad behaviour.

Surely someone's over-reacting. Who is going to liven up the school day, who is going to provide the alternative entertainment? If it wasn't for kids like this girl, lessons would be all learn, learn, learn, and what's the end result? What good are qualifications or even high standards of self discipline?

It's a shame we can't hear from the school to hear the other side of the argument but they are probably bound by confidentiality rules.

It's even more of a shame the Guardian considers this worthy of the front page and in the 'Guardian Comment' the author claims 'this raises difficult issues'. I think most parents would say the right decision was made.

GW Address supplied