Gypsy and black Caribbean pupils more likely to be excluded

This is the first time the government's figures for permanent exclusion and suspensions from school have included a breakdown by ethnicity.

The figures for 2007/8 show that the overall rate of permanent exclusion had dropped slightly from 0.12 per cent to 0.11 per cent of the total school population.

However, the rate was at 0.56 per cent among children from Gypsy/Roma communities and at a similar level, 0.53 per cent, for travellers of Irish heritage.

Black Caribbean pupils are three times more likely to be permanently excluded or suspended, the figures also revealed.

In addition, children from Traveller communities are three times more likely to be suspended and black Caribbean pupils are twice as likely to receive this type of fixed period of exclusion. Overall though the rate of suspensions was down, from 5.66 per cent in 2006/7 to 5.14 per cent in 2007/8.

Phil Regan, London partnership officer for campaign group Irish Traveller Movement in Britain, is calling on schools to raise awareness of traveller culture to combat the high level of exclusions.

"Part of the problem is that young people from these communities experience discrimination from other pupils and react, which can lead to exclusion. There needs to be more celebration and awareness of Traveller culture.

"The curriculum also needs to be addressed as well. For example, when the concept of the home is looked at in Key Stage 1, this does not include mobile homes."

The rate of permanent exclusions among pupils with special education needs is also high, the figures reveal. Pupils with SEN are around eight times more likely to be permanently excluded.

Schools minister Vernon Coaker welcomed the overall decrease in the exclusion and suspension rate. He added: "Programmes such as Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning, which ensures that young people understand the consequences of their actions and are taught how to respond to situations in a responsible way, have had a positive impact on discipline."

Gerry German, director of Communities Empowerment Network, which supports families affected  by exclusion, said: " A lot of the ways discipline is dealt with in schools needs to be addressed. This often involves taking pupils out of class, into special units. All this does is heighten any feelings of isolation and discrimination they may already have."