AROUND 135 Caldicot School pupils were ejected from Chepstow Racecourse last Wednesday (1st July) after alleged aggressive behaviour.

The prom for Year 11 pupils was initially supposed to be held until midnight but the whole venue was closed down after alleged violence, drug use and alcohol consumption by some.

Behaviour on the night has been described "as the worst ever experienced" by Chepstow Racecourse's deputy manager Caroline Williams.

According to Chepstow Racecourse, it was thought that parents would be in attendance with the children, but they did not make an appearance.

Police were called to the racecourse at around 10.15pm after a disturbance outside the venue. One 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and was taken home. Four others received anti-social behaviour referrals, which can go on to anti social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and letters sent to their parents.

Executive director of Chepstow Racecourse, Phil Bell, said the racecourse received a booking from a governor at Caldicot School, on behalf of of the prom committee. He said: "I was under the impression that parents would be present at the prom.

"Parents were available on the day of the prom and were helping to set up but they left in the evening.

"We were faced with 135 pupils with no parents and no teachers. In good faith we let the event go ahead so as not to upset the pupils.

"A small group of six boys started to cause a nuisance and were asked to leave. After this they tried to get back into the function room and started physically fighting my security staff. Groups of other pupils were egging them on.

"This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and was very intimidating for my staff so we closed the event at 10.30pm."

Parents have taken to social media to express their anger at the racecourse for choosing to eject all the pupils rather than the group of boys and have criticised the racecourse for leaving their children outside unattended. Mr Bell says police were outside at all times with the children and they were not alone.

"I would point my criticism at the parents who left their children at the event unattended," Mr Bell added. "Caldicot School will not be welcome back to Chepstow Racecourse for a prom again."

Caroline Williams, deputy general manager at Chepstow Racecourse, said: "The behaviour on the night was the worst many of my staff have experienced and I have worked at the racecourse for a very long time.

"Parents were supposed to be in attendance that did not come. We are a venue who will supply an event, with staffing and security, we don't assume responsibility for children.

"All proms that we have hosted, like the one for Chepstow School, which went well, as it has done for several years previous, does so, because teachers and responsible adults are present, and from our side this is a must.

"We are liaising directly with the adult that booked this on behalf of the school."

A spokesperson from Caldicot School said: "Caldicot School has confirmed that the school does not have any involvement in private functions organised by parents for pupils who come to the end of their Key Stage 4 and their GCSE courses.

"The school holds its leavers' day for Year 11 in June and the behaviour of pupils on that day was excellent and responsible."

The racecourse has now put strict terms and conditions in place for future proms to ensure teachers and parents are present.