Preston teen banned from prom gets to wear dress thanks to her drama teacher who features in new Netflix horror series

15-year-old Ella Rose was told by Ashton Community Science College that due to her "negative behaviour and unwillingness to co-operate" that she would not be able to attend her prom last Thursday evening at Bartle Hall Hotel in Preston.

A heartbroken Ella, who has been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), already had her dress picked out with help from her late gran Julie, 59, who passed in May from kidney failure.

Her mother Kelly, who is a civil servant, said her daughter had been uninvited to her prom despite providing letters from her psychiatrist confirming her behaviour is down to ADHD.

"They (the school) said she disrupted a revision session when she asked to use a friend's phone to contact me as hers wasn't working as she gets really anxious when she is not able to contact me.

"She was supposedly talking whilst entering an exam although the exam invigilators would have removed her if this was the case?

"Myself and Ella Rose are both devastated that she is being punished for a disability she cannot help.

"She even wrote to the head apologising if she had offended anybody.

"She has already got her dress and transport sorted. She spent all day yesterday in tears. It's discrimination."

What does the school say?

A school spokesperson said at the time: “The school wants as many students as possible to attend and enjoy the annual end-of-year leavers prom, but we are very clear with students and parents that an invitation to the prom is a privilege and one of the conditions of attendance is meeting the school’s expectations for behaviour during the school year.

How did Ella get to wear her dress?

Fast forward a week and, just like Cinderella had a fairy godmother, so does Ella in the shape of her drama teacher Melanie Ash.

Upon hearing the news that Ella was banned from her prom, Melanie who runs Meladrama decided to wave her magic wand and fix this.

"I couldn’t believe it when I read in the Post that she had been barred from her prom,” she said, “It also really upset me that her late grandma had picked the dress. Anyone that’s experienced grief and the loss of a loved one can imagine how upsetting it must have been for her.

"The loss of a grand parent is massive when you’re 15. Honestly - I don’t get the decision. It makes no sense to me why you would put a child through this - it’s traumatic for her. All her mates going and she can’t - and on top of that she is still grieving.

"We had an awards ceremony and party for the drama students. They have just finished for the summer.

"I asked Ella to come and present the awards to the kids and teens.“It was a lovely evening and Ella was stunning. She’s such a kind and gentle soul and she was perfect to present the awards."

Where was Ella’s drama ceremony held?

The awards evening was held at her drama school at Creativity Works on Shepherd Street on Tuesday evening.

A former Ashton pupil herself, Melanie, has been running the acting school and agency since 2005, and is also the dancing face of The Strike TV commercials and more recently can be seen in the new Netflix horror series Red Rose.

“I have taught many pupils from Ashton. Their drama department is excellent and I always knows they are going to be a good actor when they say they attend Ashton.

"I just hope this situation serves as an opportunity to rethink their policy on prom attendance and celebrate all their pupils. Particularly those that have found school more difficult.”

"We have acting and musical theatre classes across the north west but our flagship school is in Preston where I grew up.

She added: "Personally I don’t think prom should be dangled like a carrot. All the kids should be able to go - unless they have broken the law and done something really terrible.

“I have taught Ella for over two years now. She’s always been a really talented young actor - and we have worked hard on building her confidence and resilience. This set back will only make her stronger. I’m so proud of her for turning this into such a positive experience.”

What did Ella’s mother say?

Ella's mum Kelly, 40, said: "Ella had a fantastic time and was so happy to wear her dress.

"She presented the awards to the winners. We were all glad as a family that she was finally able to wear her dress.

"We took plenty of photos to keep as fantastic memories. She said she felt amazing to be able to wear it and is very grateful to Mel for the opportunity and the kindness she has shown.

"Ella was so happy to wear it in a place she is always welcome and where people are kind to her and have faith in her."

"Meladrama has been amazing for Ella's mental health - when she first started in April 2021 she didn’t want to leave the house but the drama school has been very supportive, has fantastic drama teachers in Mel and Faye and she has met some amazing friends."