Analysis: Education - Are pupils really better behaved?

Controversy has surfaced over figures released by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) that claim school exclusions are falling (YPN, 2-8 June, p5). The figures show that permanent exclusions fell to 9,290 in 2002-03, a drop of nearly a quarter since a peak of 12,700 in 1999. Moreover, the number of appeals fell, as did the number of successful appeals against exclusion. The proportion of all exclusions in each type of school changed little - 83 per cent from secondary, 14 per cent from primary and three per cent from special schools.

Behaviour improving?

Education minister Ivan Lewis believes the figures show that classroom behaviour is improving. "We are getting the balance right, helping teachers to improve behaviour in the classroom and backing their authority when pupils' behaviour warrants exclusion," he says.