A school for children with complex needs in Norwich gave its leavers a send off to remember.

The Parkside School on College Road, in the Golden Triangle, held a prom night for its year 11 pupils last Thursday at Brasted's Restaurant and Events venue in Framingham Pigot.

Complete with drinks, canapes, a meal, a disco and stretch limousines to ferry the pupils to the venue, the night was organised to bid them a fond farewell.

It was the third time that the school has held a prom and according to its organiser and the school's food technology teacher, Margaret Mitchell, it's no more than the pupils deserve. She said: 'In mainstream schools it's always been a tradition to have proms. I just felt that our kids deserved an end of year celebration of achievement too.

'A lot of them are going off to college or to the next step of education. It's a proud moment for the parents and carers who really go to town, finding dresses and suits for them.'

The pupils and staff have spent the year raising funds for the prom by baking cakes, conducting a sponsored silence and holding coffee mornings where they act as waiters.

Margaret said: 'Everybody was very excited about it, it's such a special, special time. The staff, year 10s and 11s all work hard towards it and it all comes together really well, the children just love it.'

She also commended Brasted's for their hospitality, highlighting the fact that managing director Nick Mills and executive chef Chris Busby visited the school ahead of the prom to demonstrate the type of food and manner of cooking to be carried out on the night. Margaret added: 'I was there for a wedding and mentioned in passing that I was organising a prom, and they offered us a venue.

'They [Brasted's] thoroughly enjoy having our kids come to the venue. I think it's one of the highlights of their year.'

Is your school organising a big event? Call Local Life editor David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk