Demos calls on schools to continue to reduce pupil exclusions

Government statistics published today show a significant drop in the number of children being excluded from school, with an estimated 6,550 permanent exclusions from primary, secondary and special schools in 2008/9, compared with 8,130 the previous year.

In its Ex Curricula report published earlier this year, Demos argued that the current system of excluding pupils and handing them from head teachers to the local authority is used too often and disproportionately effects children with special educational needs (SEN).

Sonia Sodha, an education expert at Demos, said: "Exclusion wastes money because it doesn’t solve the problem it just moves it out of sight and out of mind. Kids that get excluded are condemned to fail.

"Today’s news that 6,550 children were excluded is an improvement. But it is still 6,550 too many. Resorting to exclusion punishes children for the failure of the school system. Head teachers should intervene before it gets to the point of no return, rather than wash their hands of troubled children."

Responding to the statistics, schools minister Nick Gibb reasserted the government’s commitment to give teachers and head teachers tougher powers to tackle bad behaviour in the classroom. He said: "Despite the fall in exclusions, poor behaviour remains a significant problem in our schools. Tackling poor behaviour and raising academic standards are key priorities for the coalition government.

"We trust teachers and that's why we have already announced a series of measures to put head teachers and teachers back in control of the classroom – including ending the rule requiring schools to give 24 hours written notice for detentions and increased search powers. We will introduce further measures to strengthen teacher authority and support schools in maintaining good behaviour."

Further statistics revealed today show the permanent exclusion rate for boys was approximately three-and-a-half times higher than that for girls. Pupils with SEN are more than eight times more likely to be permanently excluded than their peers.

Children eligible for free school meals are also around three times more likely to receive either a permanent or fixed period exclusion than those who are not eligible.