Press Release
Exclusions
24 June 2008
Commenting on the DCSF’s latest exclusion figures for 2006/7, Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said;
“While I acknowledge that the Government has shifted on pupil exclusion and recognises the right of schools to exclude, the Government’s figures conceal an uncomfortable fact. Against the general downward trend in permanent exclusions, temporary exclusion from Academies has more than doubled and permanent exclusions have gone up by almost half.
“While no one would want schools to be required to hold on to pupils whose behaviour is totally unacceptable it cannot be right that the Government appears to be encouraging Academies to exclude in order to help their success.
“It is unacceptable that in order to boost a highly controversial Government policy the Government has decided to privilege Academies at the expense of neighbouring schools.
“No school wants to exclude for any other reason other than that of last resort. But at least all schools should feel that they can operate on a level playing field.
“The figures also obscure the fact that while for the majority of schools the incidences of serious misconduct have decreased compared to five years ago, for a minority the situation is getting worse. It is those schools which need significant additional support both inside and outside the school gates.”
Spread your message to an audience that counts, with options available for our website, email bulletins and publications including The House Magazine.
