This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jul/30/english-schools-see-first-rise-in-exclusions-in-eight-years

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
English schools see first rise in exclusions in eight years English schools see first rise in exclusions in eight years
(about 1 hour later)
A rise in pupils excluded by primary schools has caused the first increase in exclusions from English state schools for eight years, with teaching unions concerned by an increase in young pupils expelled for assaulting adults.A rise in pupils excluded by primary schools has caused the first increase in exclusions from English state schools for eight years, with teaching unions concerned by an increase in young pupils expelled for assaulting adults.
Figures published by the Department for Education showed that 11,400 primary-age pupils received temporary suspensions and 240 received permanent exclusions for physically assaulting adults in 2013-14, compared with 9,000 temporary and 210 permanent suspensions the previous year.Figures published by the Department for Education showed that 11,400 primary-age pupils received temporary suspensions and 240 received permanent exclusions for physically assaulting adults in 2013-14, compared with 9,000 temporary and 210 permanent suspensions the previous year.
The overall proportion of pupils permanently excluded, however, remained unchanged at 0.06% of the school population – equivalent to six out of every 10,000 pupils – thanks to rising school rolls and a fall in the number of secondary pupils expelled.The overall proportion of pupils permanently excluded, however, remained unchanged at 0.06% of the school population – equivalent to six out of every 10,000 pupils – thanks to rising school rolls and a fall in the number of secondary pupils expelled.
The statistics also showed fewer exclusions for bullying or for attacks on other pupils, while the proportion of pupils given suspensions remains far below the levels seen a decade ago.The statistics also showed fewer exclusions for bullying or for attacks on other pupils, while the proportion of pupils given suspensions remains far below the levels seen a decade ago.
Nick Gibb, the government’s schools minister, hailed the figures as a sign that giving greater powers to head teachers was paying off. Nick Gibb, the government’s schools minister, hailed the figures as a sign that giving greater powers to headteachers was paying off.
“We have given head teachers more powers to tackle poor behaviour and have ensured they have the confidence to exclude pupils when this is necessary,” Gibb said. “We have given headteachers more powers to tackle poor behaviour and have ensured they have the confidence to exclude pupils when this is necessary,” Gibb said.
“The new freedoms and greater clarity over exclusions given to head teachers is having a positive impact on behaviour.” “The new freedoms and greater clarity over exclusions given to headteachers is having a positive impact on behaviour.”
But Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said ministers should not “pat themselves on the back” over the latest figures. “The increase in the number of pupils suspended due to assaulting adults in schools is extremely worrying,” she said.But Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said ministers should not “pat themselves on the back” over the latest figures. “The increase in the number of pupils suspended due to assaulting adults in schools is extremely worrying,” she said.
“The increase in suspensions shows that, quite rightly, schools are not accepting violence against staff. However, there needs to be deeper analysis of why levels of violence are increasing.”“The increase in suspensions shows that, quite rightly, schools are not accepting violence against staff. However, there needs to be deeper analysis of why levels of violence are increasing.”
The number of exclusions has been on a downward trend for most of the last 10 years, and the slight rise in 2013-14 still leaves totals well below those of of a decade before.The number of exclusions has been on a downward trend for most of the last 10 years, and the slight rise in 2013-14 still leaves totals well below those of of a decade before.
In 2003-4 there were nearly 10,000 permanent exclusions, accounting for more than one pupil in every 1,000 attending state schools in England. By 2013-14, the total had halved to just under 5,000 a year, closer to one permanent exclusion for every 2,000 pupils.In 2003-4 there were nearly 10,000 permanent exclusions, accounting for more than one pupil in every 1,000 attending state schools in England. By 2013-14, the total had halved to just under 5,000 a year, closer to one permanent exclusion for every 2,000 pupils.
But the latest figures show that sponsored academies and free schools – the flagships in the government’s programmes of school reform – permanently exclude pupils at double the rate of other state secondary schools.But the latest figures show that sponsored academies and free schools – the flagships in the government’s programmes of school reform – permanently exclude pupils at double the rate of other state secondary schools.
Sponsored secondary schools issued permanent exclusion orders to 0.23% of their pupils in 2013-14, while secondary free schools did so to 0.24%. Both figures are higher than the 0.13% of secondary school pupils permanently excluded by schools overall.Sponsored secondary schools issued permanent exclusion orders to 0.23% of their pupils in 2013-14, while secondary free schools did so to 0.24%. Both figures are higher than the 0.13% of secondary school pupils permanently excluded by schools overall.
Some 570 sponsored academies and free secondary schools made 1,030 permanent exclusions, while the remaining 2,769 state schools expelled 2,970 pupils.Some 570 sponsored academies and free secondary schools made 1,030 permanent exclusions, while the remaining 2,769 state schools expelled 2,970 pupils.
“Schools’ ability to manage particularly difficult cases has been adversely affected by cuts to local authority budgets, in particular behaviour support services, and the fragmentation of the school system into academy and free schools,” said Kevin Courtney of the National Union of Teachers.“Schools’ ability to manage particularly difficult cases has been adversely affected by cuts to local authority budgets, in particular behaviour support services, and the fragmentation of the school system into academy and free schools,” said Kevin Courtney of the National Union of Teachers.
“Narrowing the school curriculum, the reduction in creative subjects and the removal of some play times for primary pupils may all be factors affecting behaviour in schools.”“Narrowing the school curriculum, the reduction in creative subjects and the removal of some play times for primary pupils may all be factors affecting behaviour in schools.”
Overall, children on free school meals were four times more likely to be excluded compared with their better-off peers, a proportion that has not changed in recent years.Overall, children on free school meals were four times more likely to be excluded compared with their better-off peers, a proportion that has not changed in recent years.
Similarly, boys were three times more likely to be excluded than girls. White and minority ethnic groups were permanently excluded at the same rate.Similarly, boys were three times more likely to be excluded than girls. White and minority ethnic groups were permanently excluded at the same rate.