School exclusion
Recent figures are showing an increase in the number of young children being permanently excluded from school.
In the autumn term of 2019, just before the Covid pandemic, government data shows that permanent exclusions for primary school children rose by 20% compared with the same term the previous year. There were various reasons given by primary schools for excluding children including 'persistent disruptive behaviour' and 'physical assault'.
There are many reasons that might be contributing to the problem of children being permanently excluded from school. These include the lack of school funding and a shortage of access to educational psychologists. Research commissioned by the Department for Education in 2019 showed that local councils were finding it very difficult to fill vacancies for educational psychologists. With so many students struggling at school and at risk of becoming excluded, these students will usually be looking for education, health and care plans (EHCP's) to be put in place to allow them access to the right type of education support, however with the lack of educational psychologists available there are long delays in putting these plans in place, and additionally, the more time spent on assessing students for these plans the less time there is to dedicate to early interventions in children at risk of becoming excluded.
Astrid Schon who is head of London East Alternative Provision also feels that there has been a tolerance shift in schools for the type of behaviour they deem unacceptable. "Small infringements which 10 years ago were not a big deal, are now a big deal. We are seeing children where we ask, why are they here?". Some solutions to be problem of children, often very young children still at primary school, being excluded could include more support for teachers in spotting and helping children with additional needs and more funding for schools to offer extra educational and behavioural support for children. Emma Balchin who is director at the National Governance Association feels that one solution could be putting in place independent panels at a local level who could oversee the process of exclusions. This would mean expertise on this very sensitive issue rather than passing the responsibility on to a headteacher or governor.
At The St Albans Tuition Centre we have first hand experience of working with families with children who are at risk of, or have become, permanently excluded from school. We appreciate the immense challenges this causes and the impact it has on a child. We are used to working with children excluded from school and have a close relationship with the local council, alternative provisions and educational psychologists. Our team of professional and dedicated tutors have extensive experience of working with children with a range of special educational and behavioural needs. Some of these students simply need a different learning environment and teaching approach to do well, which we are able to offer. Our educational provision is flexible, tailored and affordable. If your child has been affected by problems at school do not hesitate to contact us on 01727 260 239 to discuss how we can help.
