More Help for Excluded Pupils

Diane Abbott MP today called for more help for excluded pupils after behaviour in the classroom was put under the spotlight this week.

Data on school exclusions has shown an increase in the number of pupils being excluded temporarily on more than one occasion and a decrease in the number of permanent exclusions. The Conservative Party is calling for permanent exclusions for any pupil that is seriously violent or disruptive and has said that if elected they will do away with the independent panel that parents may appeal to if their child is excluded permanently from school. Secretary of State Ed Balls has retaliated by arguing that permanent exclusion is still an option open for schools but that often a couple of short-term exclusions can help a pupil get back on their feet before returning to school.

Commenting on the issue today Diane Abbott said:

“Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that permanent exclusion is necessary in extreme cases, I think we need to think seriously about how we deal with excluded pupils. It is all very well talking about a school’s power to permanently exclude a child, but unruly pupils are not just faulty toys we can throw on the scrap heap. The whole point of short-term exclusions is to give children a chance to recover themselves. If we are to be serious about tackling bad behaviour in schools we need to step up the work we do with pupils who are temporarily excluded to ensure that when they return to school they are ready to continue their education. Where we must permanently exclude a child we need more funding for a robust alternative education. No child, no matter how unruly or violent they are, should be left behind.”

Ends

For more information please call Caitlin Farrow on

020 7219 4426 or email farrowc@parliament.uk  

 

 

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