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Some Scottish schools 'not excluding pupils' Some Scottish schools 'not excluding pupils'
(40 minutes later)
Discipline problems are going unchecked in some schools because head teachers refuse to exclude persistently disruptive pupils, a union has claimed.Discipline problems are going unchecked in some schools because head teachers refuse to exclude persistently disruptive pupils, a union has claimed.
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association welcomed a fall in exclusions but highlighted "you shall not exclude" orders in some schools.The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association welcomed a fall in exclusions but highlighted "you shall not exclude" orders in some schools.
There were 26,844 exclusions in the past academic year, an 11% fall.There were 26,844 exclusions in the past academic year, an 11% fall.
A head teachers union said its members were dealing with complex problems within the available resources.A head teachers union said its members were dealing with complex problems within the available resources.
SSTA general secretary Ann Ballinger welcomed the use of alternative methods of support for "troubled young people".SSTA general secretary Ann Ballinger welcomed the use of alternative methods of support for "troubled young people".
But she added: "Senior managers in a small number of schools across Scotland are refusing to deal with pupils whose indiscipline is both detrimental to learning and spreading fear and alarm throughout the school community.But she added: "Senior managers in a small number of schools across Scotland are refusing to deal with pupils whose indiscipline is both detrimental to learning and spreading fear and alarm throughout the school community.
"Fortunately these cases are relatively rare but this is of no comfort to pupils and staff terrorised in the workplace."Fortunately these cases are relatively rare but this is of no comfort to pupils and staff terrorised in the workplace.
"Head teachers who refuse to exclude where exclusion is the appropriate action, are simply putting at risk the education of the well-behaved majority of pupils.""Head teachers who refuse to exclude where exclusion is the appropriate action, are simply putting at risk the education of the well-behaved majority of pupils."
'Concerted effort' No evidence
The School Leaders Scotland union, which represents head teachers, said its members did what they could with the resources available to them.The School Leaders Scotland union, which represents head teachers, said its members did what they could with the resources available to them.
But it said the process of exclusion and placing pupils in other institutions could be complex and expensive.But it said the process of exclusion and placing pupils in other institutions could be complex and expensive.
A Scottish government spokesman said: "The continued fall in the numbers of exclusions is welcome. Exclusion rates fell by 11% in the last school year, a 40% reduction since 2006/07. Education Secretary Mike Russell told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I accept that some schools don't want to exclude young people because they don't think it's good for them.
"The drop in exclusions is the result of a concerted effort of schools and authorities, supported by the Scottish government, that aims to support children and young people most at risk of exclusion to stay in school, improve their behaviour and get the most out of their education. "But I think they all know that sometimes, very occasionally, that has to happen.
"Clearly in some instances the effects of indiscipline are detrimental to both the pupil concerned and the school community. In such circumstances it may be necessary to exclude a pupil from school." "I have no evidence that in circumstances where it has to happen, it doesn't happen."