A YOUNG couple at a Winchester school have been barred from their prom after one was seen with a boy smoking cannabis.

The mother of Ares Franco, 16, has complained about inconsistent discipline at Henry Beaufort School amid claims that she was better behaved than other pupils who have been allowed to attend the summer ball.

Ares was suspended for a day after being seen with a group smoking outside the school, which parents said caused her and boyfriend Ed Clements to lose motivation for their GCSEs.

Henry Beaufort pupils receive a stamp in their diaries for good behaviour after every lesson. Pupils who fail to get enough stamps are excluded from the prom on July 3, but Ares says she reached the total.

She said: "I've been looking forward to this for five years and because I was standing next to someone smoking, I can't go.

"All my friends are going –they're going to be dressed up and buying their dresses and stuff, and I just can't do any of that. I'm going to be bored at home watching them have fun.

She added that some tutors are allowing previously barred students to attend despite receiving fewer stamps.

"Not many people are going to prom so they're just letting people back in – but I did something bad, apparently, which I didn't really do in my opinion."

Ed, also 16, lost motivation after learning they couldn't go to the party together, according to his mother.

Kasey Clements, of Tudor Way, Kings Worthy, said: "There wasn't really any reason for him to collect the stamps because if Ares wasn't going to go to the prom, then neither was he.

"One case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and all her hopes and dreams of the leavers' ball with all the friends that have been made over the last five years have been dashed.

"Needless to say, she no longer cares as much about her GCSEs and my son hasn't got any stamps since hearing the bad news. All their friends are disappointed, disheartened and disillusioned. What a shame to end your school life on such a negative note."

Henry Beaufort School has yet to provide comment.