CARJ Briefing on School Exclusions

This Briefing will explore the impact of school exclusion and alternative provision on young people, especially those from some ethnic minority groups. It will go on to discuss the wider question as to how we support young people to feel they belong in a diverse society like the UK today.

Part one, by Asha Sidhu, will discuss the Timpson Review of School Exclusions. Part two, by Fr Phil Sumner, will discuss how we nurture identity and belonging among young people and how that supports them in their preparation for life.

These are complex issues, and the briefing will attempt to help readers find their way through this complexity, but those who want to become more deeply involved with the issues may want to consult some of the works listed in the bibliography

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School Exclusions and Alternative Provision – The Timpson Review

By Asha Sidhu

To exclude a pupil is to change the life trajectory that pupil is on. For many pupils it is for the better – they can access high quality education and facilities (Alternative Provisions), with reputations for exceptional parental engagement which in turn leads to better outcomes than they would have achieved in a mainstream school. However, for others, it’s for the worse – the pupil subsequently fails to secure any qualification and at the age of 18 falls into the category of NEET (not engaged in education, employment or training).

In March 2018 Edward Timpson (Conservative MP for Cheshire West and Cheshire Council), was commissioned to review school exclusion and in May 2019 The Timpson Review of School Exclusion was published. The review confirmed what many already knew: some student groups were more likely to be excluded than others, and there was variation in how fairly and consistently Headteachers used exclusions. In addition, some Headteachers even unlawfully excluded pupils.

However, like most, I believe that headteachers must continue to have some autonomy and discretion to use exclusion where appropriate, but only as a last resort when all other interventions and strategies have failed. Why? Simply because there are some children who, for whatever reason (be it in-school or out-of-school factors), are unable to meet the standard expected of behaviour and interaction in a mainstream school…

Please read the rest at the link below.

CARJBriefing.SchoolExclusionsinContext2021-1

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In March 2018 Edward Timpson (Conservative MP for Cheshire West and Cheshire Council), was commissioned to review school exclusion and in May 2019 The Timpson Review of School Exclusion was published. The review confirmed what many already knew: some student groups were more likely to be excluded than others, and there was variation in how fairly and consistently Headteachers used exclusions. In addition, some Headteachers even unlawfully excluded pupils.

However, like most, I believe that headteachers must continue to have some autonomy and discretion to use exclusion where appropriate, but only as a last resort when all other interventions and strategies have failed. Why? Simply because there are some children who, for whatever reason (be it in-school or out-of-school factors), are unable to meet the standard expected of behaviour and interaction in a mainstream school.

Timpson acknowledged this and concluded his review….