School praises 'nuts' response to prom dress drive

Dixons Unity Academy in Armley has gathered around 100 prom outfits

A Leeds school that offers free prom dresses and suits has hailed the “absolutely nuts” response to its appeal for outfits.

Dixons Unity Academy in Armley asked online for donations of formal clothes, as many families were struggling to pay for their children to attend the end-of-school event.

About 100 outfits have been collected around West Yorkshire to be made available to youngsters for prom season.

Teacher Pip Parmar said staff wanted all students to enjoy the events “without having to spend the price tag”.

The school had asked for donations via its Facebook page, and Ms Parmar said staff had been out across Leeds collecting unwanted clothes – some brand new with tags still on.

Isabelle, 16, tried on a number of dresses at a special event held at the school.

She said: “Some people can't afford to buy a dress because they're very expensive.

“This gives people the opportunity to have the same experience.”

Fifteen-year-old Alexandro said he wanted to feel “confident, professional and kind of like James Bond” when he put his suit on.

He said going to prom mattered to him as it would be his last opportunity to say goodbye to his teachers and friends.

Staff at the school said they would leave the racks of clothes available for teenagers to try on and take away for the next few weeks, and they were hoping to repeat the scheme next year.

Alexandro, 15, said he wanted to feel "like James Bond" in his suit

Principal Ashley Jacobs said: “We're really keen on sustainability, and some of these prom dresses have been worn once and then sit in the back of a wardrobe.

“If they can come to use again, that's great for us.”

Culture organisation the British Council estimates 85% of schools in the UK now have a prom, in a tradition that came from the US.

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