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A message from Patrick Leeson:

24 May 2017 weekly update

24 May 2017

This week, Patrick provides an overview and an analysis on Kent’s latest permanent and fixed term exclusion report data.

Dear Colleagues

Latest Exclusions Report

We continue to make good progress in reducing exclusions. The latest Exclusions Report (PDF, 111.9 KB) shows that permanent exclusions have so far reduced to 49 this academic year, which is 9 fewer than the already very good performance for the same period last year.

This figure includes 17 permanent exclusions in Primary schools, which is the same as last year, and 32 permanent exclusions in Secondary schools, which is a reduction of 9 compared to the previous year. Overall, this continues to be an excellent downward trend.

The permanent exclusions happened in a small number of schools, in 19 Secondary schools and in 19 Primary schools. 36 of the total permanent exclusions took place in academies and 13 took place in KCC maintained schools.

There were no Primary school permanent exclusions in Ashford, Dover, Gravesham, Shepway and Thanet, which is excellent. The highest number of Primary permanent exclusions (6) took place in Swale, the same number as in the previous year.

There were no Secondary permanent exclusions in Ashford, Swale and Thanet, which is also very good. The highest numbers of Secondary permanent exclusions took place in Maidstone (7) Gravesham (6) and Dartford (5) but these numbers were fewer in Maidstone and Dartford compared to the previous year. The greatest reduction took place in Shepway.

Most permanent exclusions in Secondary schools are in Years 9, 10 and 11, while in Primary schools nearly half the permanent exclusions over the past year took place in Key Stage 1, which is a concern. On one occasion recently a Reception age child with special educational needs was permanently excluded, which is very poor practice.

There were 6,880 fixed term exclusions so far this academic year, compared to 7,163 for the same period last year, resulting in a 4.0% decrease or 283 fewer exclusions this school year. 4651 fixed term exclusions took place in academies, and 2229 in KCC maintained schools.

However, there has been an increase in fixed term exclusions in Primary schools up from 1,148 last year to 1,425 (277 more exclusions) this year. In contrast, Secondary school exclusions have reduced by 560, from 6,015 to 5,455 exclusions so far this school year.

The lowest numbers of Primary fixed term exclusions (below 100) were in Dover, Sevenoaks, Gravesham, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells, although all increased compared to the previous year. The highest number of fixed term exclusions took place in Swale, which also increased the number of exclusions compared to the previous year. The greatest reduction was seen in Thanet, while the biggest increase was in Maidstone.

The lowest numbers of Secondary fixed term exclusions (below 400) were in Shepway, Sevenoaks, Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells. The highest numbers of fixed term exclusions took place in Maidstone and Thanet, and in Swale although there was a significant reduction in the number of exclusions compared to the previous year. The greatest reductions were seen in Shepway, Swale and Ashford, while the biggest increases were seen in Maidstone and Gravesham.

During the past year the number of children with three or more exclusions has reduced from 496 to 444, which is a small but welcome reduction. There have been significant reductions in the number of children in care (down 41%) who have had multiple exclusions, and also reduced numbers of pupils on free school meals or with SEN with multiple exclusions, which is very encouraging. Among those who have had three or more exclusions, 65% are known to Early Help and 35% are known to Children’s Social Care.

303 pupils (46 in Primary schools and 247 in Secondary schools) lost 10 or more days of education due to fixed term exclusions. No child in care was permanently excluded from school in the past year, which is excellent, and only three pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan were permanently excluded, which is also very positive. At the same time there was a 25.4% reduction in the number of pupils on free schools who were permanently excluded.

Most permanent and fixed term exclusions are for disruptive behaviour and physical assaults against adults and pupils. Although there is an increase in the number of drug and alcohol related permanent exclusions from 3 to 5, the number is too small to draw any conclusion to suggest there has been an increase in drug related permanent exclusions. The drug and alcohol related fixed-term exclusion rate has increased slightly from 3.3% to 3.7%.

While exclusions continue to reduce there are improved alternatives, and advice and support, for schools through the Pupil Referral Units and managed services between groups of schools. Currently £13 million is spent on these provisions, including the Health Needs Service, and at present 813 pupils are being supported in Key Stages 3 and 4. In addition £1 million has been available in the past year to provide support to Primary schools for pupils with challenging behaviour.

The best outcomes are achieved when there is good use of the LIFT process and Early Help, effective use of High Needs funding and investment in building the capacity of staff to address the changing needs of pupils. Working together I hope we can continue to build on the good outcomes that are being achieved and make the best use of resources and support available to help ensure vulnerable learners can be included. Thank you very much to all the schools that work hard to include pupils, especially when they present challenging behaviour and have more complex needs, and who are developing better and better strategies to support vulnerable learners. This work in Kent continues to improve and we are looking to share that best practice across the county.

For more information and advice please contact Celia.Buxton@kent.gov.uk, Strategic Lead for PRUs and Executive Head of the Education Health Needs Service; Ming.Zhang@kent.gov.uk, Head of Inclusion and Attendance; and Margot.Clarkson-Bennett@kent.gov.uk, Consultant Lead for Primary Behaviour Projects.

Patrick Leeson
Corporate Director
Children, Young People and Education