Handy Guide To The School Prom In The UK (2024)

FAQs

How does prom in the UK work? ›

Proms are held in June or July, around the end of exam time or the end of 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.

Schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland predominantly hold their prom, or school formal, at the end of secondary education in year 11 (ages 15/16) and the end of sixth form (aged 18).

School Proms are usually black tie formal wear events, and the outfit for this event can consist of a number of different formal options... Normally accompanied with matching dress trousers. White Tuxedo jackets can be an option too, if you are looking to stand out from the crowd, this is definitely the way to go!

in the UK the school prom tends to most popular for year 11 pupils leaving Secondary School (ages 15/16) and Year 13 following A-Levels (ages 17/18). In Scotland the prom is held at the end of year S6 (ages 17/18).

Prom is an important event for all students in the UK.

Proms are a smart occasion so you will most definitely want to wear a suit (or even a kilt if you're Scottish) just like you would to any other formal event.

Boys can wear either a tux or suit to prom. Traditionally, boys have worn tuxedos to prom, but suits are becoming more popular. A tuxedo typically has a black jacket with tails and is worn with a white shirt, black bow tie, and black pants.

Ultimately, you can wear whatever you want to your prom – this includes short and long dresses alike! Should You Wear a Short Prom Dress? It's okay to wear short dresses to prom!

If you are concerned about alcohol being consumed at the year 11 prom then don't. At many proms pupils are searched before they enter the premises and often security are now employed. Typically the teachers in attendance will be monitoring the prom for obvious alcohol use.

In most schools in Britain, public or private, pupils have to wear a uniform: generally a jumper (often a V-neck jumper), a shirt, pants or a skirt, black shoes and sometimes a tie for boys and girls. In some schools, the uniform is more casual: a shirt, a sweatshirt, and black pants or skirts.

What is prom girl dress code? ›

Prom is a formal event and you are expected to wear formal attire. Formal prom attire may be classified as a dress, tuxedo, dress suit, including a tie or bow tie, a dress shirt, which may include a vest or cumme*rbund, and dress shoes. Dresses may be strapless (if they fit properly) or include spaghetti straps.

It has been estimated that proms in the UK cost parents £90m a year, with prom dresses costing an average £220. Of course, it's not just about the money – these dresses symbolise leaving school behind, the end of an era that doubles as an irresistible Instagram opportunity.

Like we have already discussed, for most high schools in the USA, students who are seniors (in the 12th grade) are allowed to attend prom. Students who are in this grade will typically be between 17-18 years old. Some schools will also allow juniors (in the 11th grade) to attend prom dances.

Prom night is a custom where high school juniors and seniors dress in formal attire and participate in activities surrounding a dance. Prom activities vary across the United States, but most traditions involve dates, prom dresses, tuxedos, dinner and dancing.

Do Parents Go to Prom Pictures? Traditionally, parents have always been a part of pre-prom photos. However, it's important to remember that teens place a lot of value on prom night. Give your kid the chance to have a great time by giving them a little space during this part of the evening.

With all the latest dance hits being played at your prom there is no doubt that you will see your teachers enjoying their time as well by dancing. Obviously, school is the last place where a teacher would dance, so prom is the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their dancing skills to you.

Prom was born in the United States more than 100 years ago and has spread to other parts of the world. In America, it has become an industry similar to the wedding business.

Register to attend the tailgate here. Homecoming has been a special tradition on UK's campus since 1915. As students come and go, it's always important to pay tribute to those who came before them, and to celebrate the longevity and success of the university.

Prom is a formal event and you are expected to wear formal attire. Formal prom attire may be classified as a dress, tuxedo, dress suit, including a tie or bow tie, a dress shirt, which may include a vest or cumme*rbund, and dress shoes.

Tip 1 - Start shopping early to avoid disappointment

For big year 11 proms, it's a good idea to start thinking about your prom in September when you return back to school for your final year. From October onwards, new collections start to arrive in store so if you want the first choice then you'll need to be quick!

What not to wear to prom? ›

Jeans or sweatpants are way, way too casual no matter how relaxed your prom is. This rule applies to guys and girls alike. Camouflage – Even if you're a wallflower, no one wants to disappear that badly. In fact, wearing camouflage is likely to get you noticed but not in a good way.

Who buys the corsage and boutonniere for prom? Traditionally, the male brings his date a corsage when he picks her up for prom or a homecoming dance, and the female brings the boutonniere. Of course, females can buy their own corsages, too.

Prom is basically a bunch of teenagers playing dress-up for the night—and maybe doing a little dancing on the side. Make sure your child understands it's common nowadays for groups of friends to go to dances together. Dates are no longer required. This is true even for formal occasions like prom.

Yes, you can, but all non-SCHS Prom dates MUST be approved. Remember, your date can not be currently suspended from their high school.

Almost always, prom dresses have some intricate cut. Whether it's a backless style, an off the shoulder style, a halter neck, completely strapless, or a deep V, these dresses will require a specialty bra.

Semi-formal attire may be classified as a dress suit, a dress shirt, slacks or khaki pants and dress shoes. Shirts, ties and/or bow tie must be worn at all times and not removed during the dance. Jeans and shorts are not permitted. Pants should fit properly on the hip and not sag below the waistline.

Taking a gown one to two sizes down is pretty common, and should still keep the integrity of the original design fairly easily. Of course, the closer to your actual size the better; you'll save money in alterations, and the gown will look best when it is closest to how it was designed.

Absolutely! Don't let the fear of going alone keep you from making memories. Going to prom with your friends is much more common than one might think, sometimes more common than actually going with a date. Consider it a fun night out with your friends and make the most of it!

Prom is approaching, and while you might feel like you need to find a date, it's totally fine to go to prom without one.

Going to prom single can have plenty of benefits, and speaking from experience, it can be more fun than going to a dance with a date. The first reason why you should go to prom without a date is that there's less stress about what to wear to impress other people.

Can girls wear pants in UK schools? ›

Whilst there isn't a nationwide trouser ban, it is still being enforced by some primary, secondary, public and private, faith and non-faith schools. During the talk the academics will argue that the ban does not comply with the Department of Education's School Uniform document and The Equality Act 2010 and Schools.

There is no education legislation specifically covering the wearing of school uniform or other aspects of appearance such as hair colour and style and the wearing of jewellery and makeup.

A few private schools in Surrey, Kent, London, and Hampshire have adopted a no school uniform policy. Reasons why: they have freedom to choose, part of school ethos or founding member covenant mandates the school must follow the tradition.

With an average of $30-$150, it's clear that dresses aren't the only prom expense. SHOES, SHOES, SHOES, what's the point of the perfect dress if you don't have the matching shoes.

Make sure your purse is filled with all of your prom night necessities. We recommend gum or mints, extra bobby pins in case your 'do falls out from all the dancing, and some blotting paper (it's going to get hot on the dance floor), along with your ID, house keys, wallet, and some emergency cash.

Is a white dress too formal for prom? No, a white dress is not too formal for prom. White is an appropriate color choice for prom attire.

A major piece of that prom budget is the dress. Girls spend anywhere from under $100 on a dress up to $500 and more (For more information and a breakdown of typical prom costs, check out the Prom Guide).

For most teens, prom is their first formal event, and how much is spent comes down to individual budgets. Some parents opt to pay for expenses, while others don't have the financial means to do so—or, regardless of parental resources, they expect their teens to foot the bill.

Bold colors like turquoise make dark skin pop, pastels like periwinkle complement pale skin, and earth tones like forest green look great on medium skin tones. Warm, earthy colors like reds, yellows, and browns pair well with warm undertones, while blues, purples, and greens look best on cool undertones.

High-school proms as we recognise them now originated in the US in the 1950s, although debutante balls in America were the norm in the 18th century. Proms began to occur in the UK around 15 years ago, and have become increasingly popular since.

Why does a girl wear a garter to prom? ›

Wearing garters

The garter tradition stems from the popular wedding tradition of the garter removal. According to BrideBox, this tradition was based on the belief that it is lucky to keep a piece of a bride's gown.

One night in fancy clothes does not a high school experience make, and prom is not the “end all be all” of experiences that we have propped it up to be. For many teens (my son included) there are many more memorable days and nights in high school than prom night, and not wanting to go is neither abnormal or uncommon.

Having alcoholic beverages at a school function is prohibited and against the rules. That's not to mention the fact that drinking underage is, you know, illegal. If you're caught drinking underage at prom or in possession of alcohol at prom, you can bet that you're going to be asked to leave.

Alcohol impairs your judgement and can therefore lead to poor decisions. As dramatic as it may sound, choosing to drink on prom night can deeply impact your future. If you get caught drinking, you may be suspended or even expelled, which could hinder any college plans you have.

The person who asks someone to prom is responsible for paying for the night's expenses, traditionally. However, it is more common now for couples to share the costs of the evening, as proms can be very expensive.

A girl has the same right to ask as the guy! But don't feel dependent on a date. If he turns out to be a jerk, take a friend. Prom is meant to be fun, so make it fun!

If at all possible, it's best to let your child attend prom and graduation celebrations. However, if you think these events are too much for your child to handle, follow your instincts. If your child was just suspended again for drinking alcohol on school grounds, going to prom might not be a good idea this year.

"It's different from the American prom in that they tend to be aged around 18 or 19 for their prom, whereas our girls will be a bit younger, so dresses are less revealing.

The British way

If there is to be a prom king or queen at an event this will often be decided by the prom organising committee. The organising committee can include teachers but often is made up of the head boy or head girl as well as students volunteering to be part of the committee.

In most cases, the answer to this will be yes, colleges do have prom. Although they were originally found in American high schools, over the past decade or so, proms have become nearly as popular in the UK. Colleges are no exception to this.

What do boys wear to prom UK? ›

Boys can wear either a tux or suit to prom. Traditionally, boys have worn tuxedos to prom, but suits are becoming more popular. A tuxedo typically has a black jacket with tails and is worn with a white shirt, black bow tie, and black pants.

Technically, there are no "obligatory" rules.

For men, this means a neck bow (or bowing the head only), while women traditionally curtsy. Others can also show respect by simply shaking hands. To greet the sovereign, the formal address is "Your Majesty."

In America, prom is generally associated with high school leavers who are actually the same age as UK college or sixth form leavers – 17-18. However, in this country, it is celebrated by secondary school leavers of 15-16.

Prom is a dance party held from March to May that is considered a major event in American, British, and Canadian high schools.

75% of Juniors go to Junior prom. 99.9% of seniors go to Senior prom.

Who buys the corsage and boutonniere for prom? Traditionally, the male brings his date a corsage when he picks her up for prom or a homecoming dance, and the female brings the boutonniere. Of course, females can buy their own corsages, too.