Former Glasgow education director appointed to reduce school exclusions in London

Education expert Maureen McKenna has been appointed to London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) as an education consultant, and is set to aid the development of its inclusion charter.

Mckenna was formerly the director of education at Glasgow City Council, where she oversaw a 90 per cent drop in school exclusions over 14 years. Over the same time period, violence in Glasgow’s education settings was also reduced by half.

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In her new role, McKenna will work with the VRU and its Young People’s Action Group to prioritise equitable practices in areas such as the school curriculum and anti-racism, and tackle disproportionality in school exclusion rates.

She will support the development of the VRU’s inclusion charter, which will include highlighting on best practice, improving inclusion, and recognising that boosting young people’s sense of belonging is vital to reduce exclusion levels.

The charter will be informed by children and young people, supported by professionals and co-designed by schools and local authorities.

McKenna said she was “delighted” to be working with the VRU on this project.

She added: “London's Inclusion Charter will be a call to all in London who are invested in education.

“I am looking forward to engaging with schools, local authorities and trusts to consider how we can all work together to ensure that each and every one of London's children and young people achieve their potential.”

The VRU, which is funded by the Mayor of London’s office, has also invested £2 million in the Inclusive and Nurturing Schools programme across 70 primary schools and secondary schools to deliver training to teaching staff and students. Some £4 million has also been allocated to a programme for early identification of special educational needs and interventions, to support communication skills in primary schools.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, welcomed McKenna’s appointment to the VRU, saying: “She brings strong expertise in working closely with schools and shares our ambition to give every young person the support they need to receive an education that will help fulfil their potential.

“I’m committed to making education accessible and available to all young Londoners to help them develop and thrive. This is crucial to building a fairer, more equal London for everyone.”

Lib Peck, director of London’s VRU, said: “Maureen McKenna brings a huge amount of experience and determination, having reversed exclusions and led a refocused education system in Glasgow built around the principles of inclusion.

“We’re determined to work with young people, local authorities and teachers to develop a London Inclusion Charter that supports schools in providing inclusive and accessible education that works for all young Londoners.”