A TOP-PERFORMING school's chief executive has hit back at criticism, after it banned a star pupil from her end of year prom.

Kayleigh Baker, 16, a model pupil with an excellent record, was described as "brilliant" and "lovely" by her teachers.

But after her parents refused to send her to after-school revision classes, Hurworth School, near Darlington, banned the teenager from all voluntary activities, including the end of year prom.

The school said the classes were compulsory and, if it allowed Kayleigh to miss them because she was a high achiever, it would be an excuse for other pupils to skip revision lessons.

Chris Woodhead, the former chief inspector of schools, said the decision was "crackers", adding the school was "pushing its luck" because after-school classes should be voluntary.

Yesterday, Hurworth School chief executive Eamonn Farrar hit back.

He said: "I am astounded that somebody like Chris Woodhead, given his former position, would make a statement on this case when he doesn't know the school, the child or the family."

Mr Farrar added that the school had decided not to comment on the case because it was immoral, which meant only one side of the argument was being heard.

There was also support for the school from Councillor Barrie Armstrong, spokesman for education for the Conservative Party in Darlington.

He said: "Hurworth School has a proven track record and I support the school's actions.

"It cannot allow the actions of any individual, however talented, to undermine the prospects of the vast majority."

After Kayleigh's story appeared in The Northern Echo, it appeared in regional and national television, and in national newspapers.

Last night, more than 50 people had commented on the story on the Northern Echo website, with messages from across the country - and as far away as Taiwan and Canada.

Reactions were mixed, but the majority supported Kayleigh, saying she should be allowed to go to her school prom next month.

One person said: "If your child's sick, you trust a doctor to know best. When it comes to education, you must also trust that the teachers know best - the results speak for themselves. Come on, what are you trying to achieve?"

A reader from Manchester said: "It was an absolutely ridiculous decision taken by this school - punitive beyond belief.

"Why punish a high achiever in this way? You should all boycott the ball and support this girl."