THEY arrived in style, in modes of transport including a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, an open top bus and even the largest limousine in Europe. School leavers from Marshland High School attended their prom on Friday to celebrate the end of exams, and head t

THEY arrived in style, in modes of transport including a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, an open top bus and even the largest limousine in Europe.

School leavers from Marshland High School attended their prom on Friday to celebrate the end of exams, and head teacher Matthew Parr-Burnham says the event was the most successful in its 20-year history.

For the first time, students had to win the right to attend their special celebration, through a special "Passport to the Prom" scheme.

Throughout the year, students were expected to stick to a set of standards, including good attendance, course work completed on time, good behaviour, and attending all exams.

"At the beginning of the year I told students they would get half price tickets if they adhered to these standards, and more than half our students did so," said Mr Parr-Burnham.

"Other students had to pay full price for their tickets, and some were not allowed to attend at all, they could not join in the celebration if they had not done the basics."

Throughout the year, students' adherence to the passport scheme was displayed on a notice board, with a traffic light system showing their progress.

"The system worked brilliantly," added Mr Parr-Burnham. "This was nothing to do with ability, but recognition of students working with the basics. Attendance has risen, and we have had happier students."

A large number of staff attended the prom, serving the youngsters and celebrating with the students.