NC for this. DD is year 11 and has had a friend all the way through school since reception. They were in separate classes when they started secondary and drifted apart for a while but have become close again. We’ve always thought that the friend had strict parents, but she has recently been confiding in DD and I wondered if there is anything that could be done.
She is the youngest child, an older sibling left home several years ago. At primary the friend was never allowed to play at friends, never had anyone at hers, no birthday parties, no school trips. She has never done any extracurricular activity like brownies or dance, nothing.
Neither parent works. Both parents take her to school and pick her up, she isn’t allowed to use public transport. She does not have a mobile or any form of social media. She tells DD that she has no TV or music at home. She has access to a laptop to do school work but this is monitored by parents. She is not allowed to socialise, never been to a sleepover or day out.
They are year 11 so there is a lot of extra revision going on, she is not allowed to attend anything. Parents refused to give permission for a compulsory free field trip. There have been various trips to sixth forms and universities, including oxbridge colleges but she was not allowed to go. Parents have already decided her A levels and she tells DD that she will have to attend the nearest uni and live at home, Parents has already said he will drive her there and back. She isn’t allowed to go to prom.
DD says the girl is PP so some trips etc would be paid for by school. The girl gets free school meals but is not allowed any junk food or treats and parents monitor what she’s bought through Edulink.
There are no cultural reasons involved as far as I know, family are white British. They do attend church on a Sunday but apart from that and school, the girl stays at home.
The girl has confided in DD about how unhappy she is and I’m worried about her. School were informed by another parent a few years ago but the girl is clean, fed and doing well at school.
Any advice ?