A nine-year-old schoolgirl missed out on attending her school disco last month after her parents missed the deadline to buy a ticket – and organisers refused to let her attend the event.
The girl’s parents, who have asked to remain anonymous, say they didn’t get the information because organisers had the wrong email address and criticised them for refusing to sell her a ticket out of principle.
The girl’s father said that the Abbots Langley Schools Association, who organised the event, had incorrect contact details.
He said: “Her mum had updated her email and contacted them twice to say please update my details but they never sent anything through.”
The day before the school disco was due to take place, the man said his daughter told him it was happening and she was looking forward to attending.
He added: “I asked her what she was going to wear. I drove round the childminders to drop her off and as I was leaving, somebody said to me that she needed a ticket. Her mother tried to get hold of one. I rang the school and said I knew I’d missed the deadline. I asked if I could still get hold of a ticket. They said as they hadn’t organised the event there was nothing they could do.”
Meanwhile, the girl’s mother was emailing ALSA as they couldn’t find a phone number for them anywhere. They eventually heard from a representative who said there was nothing that could be done.
The father said: “I was more worried about her reaction so I messaged the childminder saying we couldn’t get a ticket. I picked her up, took her into the car and said she wasn’t going to the disco. She cried more than I’d ever seen her for hours. These kind of things mean so much at that age! I know we missed the deadline but that’s not the point.”
Rebecca Negrello, Headteacher at Abbots Langley Primary School, said: “We are sorry to hear that this student was upset that she did not attend the disco.
“I have offered to discuss this with her parents to ensure this does not happen again.
“This event is organised regularly by our PTA and is open to all children from reception to Year 6.
“Tickets are sold in advance and this is advertised to parents in a variety of ways, including emails, newsletters, on social media and on large signs around the school grounds.
“Currently we set a deadline for ticket sales for a number of reasons, such as ensuring we have enough hot food and adult helpers on the evening to meet the adult/child safeguarding ratios required. However, we will be looking into this for further events.
“This was a very successful disco and we have received lots of positive feedback from parents.”
Picture courtesy of Hoss Photography
0 Comments