Issue - meetings

Issue - meetings

School Exclusions

Meeting: 10/03/2015 - CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (Item 82)

82 Exclusion from school pdf icon PDF 231 KB

To consider and comment on a review of the Council's policies in relation to school exclusions

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Assistant Director, School Improvement, introduced a report on pupil exclusion from schools.  The report outlined the progress that had been made to reduce the number of school exclusions and the work undertaken by officers and partners with pupils at risk of exclusion.  The development of the Jigsaw Centre and Academy of Central Bedfordshire school had provided children who might otherwise have been excluded with the right support and had further reduced the exclusion rate.  Officers monitored fixed term exclusions on a weekly basis and helped to support families and teachers involved.

 

In light of the report, Members discussed the following points in details:-

·         The cost implications, especially for the Police, involved in school absenteeism.  The Assistant Director advised that the Council provided a school attendance officer service for maintained schools that could also be purchased by academies.

·         Whether the number of children excluded from school had been high achievers or low achievers.  The Assistant Director agreed to look at whether this information could be gathered and report back to the Committee.

·         Whether guidance was available to help schools deal with behavioural problems and whether a statemented process was required.  The Assistant Director advised there was clear guidance provided to schools and it was important that schools followed the guidance and requested a statutory assessment if appropriate at the right time for a child.

·         Concern that children and teachers affected by the behaviour of a child excluded from school should be offered advice and support.  The Assistant Director advised that staff support was available and that schools are given clear advice, support and guidance when a child is at risk of exclusion.

 

RECOMMENDED that a school exclusion report be provided on an annual basis to the committee including detail on profile of pupils excluded from schools.