Prom Night Essentials

Proms are gaining more and more popularity in Britain these days. A school prom is a party to celebrate the end of school or completion of exams.

Prom parties

Proms are held in June or July, around the end of exam time or the end of the term. The idea is to have fun with your school friends and celebrate your time and achievements at school. Some schools hold a luxury party in a five-star hotel. Others have a more basic dinner in the school hall.

Clothes and beauty

Young people like to dress up for their prom. Many teenagers wear school uniform in the UK, but on prom night lots of girls swap their uniform for an elegant evening dress and high heels. Boys that are usually only seen in jeans and trainers when not at school dress up in a suit with a tie and smart shoes.

Cars

Arriving at your prom by chauffeur-driven limousine is very popular! The party can start on the way to dinner or dance. Part of the fun for some prom-goers is to drive around town in their best clothes and make sure that everyone sees them.

Money

The school prom is a big business. According to a recent newspaper report, the average prom costs parents over £200 per teenager. The cost can include a ticket for the prom party (as well as new clothes, shoes, a visit to the hairdressers, spray tan and probably car hire.)

An American tradition

Not long ago, most British schools didn’t have school proms. They probably had a simple school disco at the end of the term. Now, more than 85% of schools in Britain have a prom. However, it is not popular with some parents. Many adults see the prom as an import from the USA. They say that American TV programmes and films such as ‘High School Musical’ have a big influence on their kids.