Green School for Girls in Isleworth, West London, has had to cancel its Year 11 prom after a heatwave sent temperatures soaring to 37°C last week. The school, which dates back to the 1700s, is now racing to reschedule the event but faces a shortage of air-conditioning units to keep the venue comfortable for students, parents, and staff.
Prom rescheduled but AC needed
The prom has been moved to Thursday, July 2, but the school is struggling to find industrial air-conditioning units and the funds to hire them. Even with slightly cooler temperatures this week, the school's hall—known for getting very warm in summer—remains a concern. Darren Silver, Head of Year 11, said: "We didn't want to cancel prom, but it was an option. It would have obviously upset children and parents. The venue is going to be hot, and it wouldn't have been good for parents, staff, or the kids dancing."
GoFundMe launched to climate-proof venue
Silver and his prefect team have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for renting industrial air-conditioning units, aiming to "climate-proof" the venue. He explained: "Now, we want to 'climate-proof' it by renting industrial air-conditioning units to keep the space from becoming unpleasantly hot." The goal is to ensure students can "feel elegant and comfortable, not melting."
Impact on students and inclusivity efforts
The date change has caused some girls to miss the prom as they will be out of the country, but others who could not attend the original date can now join. Silver noted: "Overall, the girls are happy it's going ahead, and they are happy to see us trying to get AC units." This year, the prefect team worked hard to make the event more affordable through fundraising, reducing ticket costs to ensure inclusivity. "Getting ready for prom, as I've found out from parents, is an all-day affair, involving many steps and many hours of preparation, so I know the girls are happy it's going ahead," Silver added.
