Issue - meetings

Nick Lee, Director of Education Services, and Peter McConnochie, Head of Access to Learning, attended the meeting to give a presentation on exclusions from primary school and the support available to families and children when a child is excluded. They highlighted the following information:

a)  Based upon 2018/19 data (the most recent available) the national rate of permanent exclusion has remained unchanged while the rate of fixed term exclusion has increased slightly. Persistent disruptive behaviour is the main reason for exclusions which peak nationally amongst 14 year olds (year nine). Those with Free School Meals and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are excluded at a higher rate than those without.

b)  In 2018/19 Nottingham was ranked 121st of 151 local authorities for permanent exclusions from primary schools and 99thfor fixed term exclusions. This is below the rates of our statistical neighbours. The number of exclusions in Nottingham has reduced further since then with only four permanent exclusions from Nottingham primary schools last year and three to date this year. Work is done by schools, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) and with parents to avoid potential exclusions.

c)  Since the full return to schooling there hasn’t been a spike in exclusions suggesting the supportive approach with a focus on wellbeing has been effective in supporting children back into learning.

d)  The two main reasons for exclusions in Nottingham are disruptive behaviour and physical assault which account for 80% of exclusions.

e)  Primary exclusions are male dominated with 93% of fixed period exclusions and 100% of permanent exclusions issued to male pupils over the last three years. During the same period 52% of permanent exclusions were issued to white pupils and 48% to BME pupils. Mixed and multiple ethnic groups have seen the highest rate of exclusions. The recent Timpson Review found a correlation between deprivation, SEND and exclusions.

f)  Exclusions are issued predominantly to older primary aged children and peak in year six.

g)  Those without SEND are more likely to be excluded and nationally those with an Education and Health Care Plan are also more likely to be excluded. However, in Nottingham, no primary children with an EHCP have been excluded in the last three years. If a child if referred to Denewood Learning Centre they will carry out assessments which can identify previously unidentified needs.

h)  Children from across the city are excluded from schools with some concentration in Aspley/ Broxtowe/ Bilborough and St Anns/ Bakersfield and Bestwood. There is a link to levels of deprivation with those areas with the highest levels of deprivation having higher levels of exclusions.

i)  Fair Access Protocols have avoided over 57 possible permanent exclusions over the last 3 years. Possible exclusions are tracked by the Council and schools are supported to take alternative actions. Routes to Inclusion and the Intensive Support Team operate in primary schools to support the reduction in permanent exclusions.

j)  If the Council is concerned about the rate of exclusions in a particular school this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40