The Government has been clear that it will always back teachers and headteachers in delivering discipline in the classroom. The issues surrounding knife crime and poor behaviour in schools are complicated and multi-faceted. Simple causal links between exclusions and crime cannot be drawn.
Following the Timpson Review, we are consulting on how to make schools more accountable for the students they exclude, working with Ofsted to clamp down on off-rolling, and calling on local areas to explain or change trends in exclusions for certain groups of children.
Edward Timpson’s review of exclusions practice, published just this week, highlights widespread good practice in the use of exclusions and confirms that only a small minority of schools ‘off-roll’ pupils. In response, we have committed to holding schools accountable for the pupils they exclude to prevent any falling through the cracks. We will continue working with Ofsted to define and tackle the practice, which remains illegal.
Exclusion should not be considered the end point for any child; it has to be the start of something new and positive – with alternative provision offering smaller class sizes and tailored support.
No headteacher goes into the job to remove a pupil from school - and no headteacher takes the decision to do so lightly. Schools will typically have gone through a number of sanctions before exclusion is considered, taking into account the welfare of other pupils in the classroom.
It is against the law to remove pupils on the basis of academic results – any school that does it is breaking the law.
Today, Monday 1 April, the Home Secretary has launched a consultation to ensure public bodies, including hospitals and schools, raise concerns about children at risk of becoming involved in knife crime.
Today’s blog responds to inaccurate claims in the Sunday Times on exclusions.
Today’s Education in the Media blog focuses on the announcement of 39 new free schools, as well as off-rolling and maintained nurseries.
Today’s Education in the Media blog looks at a variety of stories on teacher pensions, universities, mental health and exclusions.
Today’s Education in the Media blog focuses on the launch of the new Recruitment and Retention strategy, as well as stories on apprentices and exclusions.