Breaches of coronavirus rules led to almost 13,000 school exclusions in England last year, figures show.
Department for Education figures released last week and analysed by the PA news agency show “wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures” was a reason behind 12,965 exclusions from schools in England in the 2020-21 academic year. The data shows 12,888 exclusions were temporary and 77 permanent.
88% of exclusions were in secondary schools, while 8% were in primary and 3% in special schools. This means there were 16 exclusions for breaches of Covid measures for every 10,000 pupils last year – though this varied widely between fewer than one in Camden and 116 in Tameside.
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Children were excluded for reasons including non-compliance with social distancing and causing distress such as by purposefully coughing near to others. Schools were able to list multiple reasons for each exclusion for the first time last year.
Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools worked very hard to keep pupils and staff safe during the pandemic and it was not unreasonable that young people should be expected to comply with these measures. However, Stephen Morgan, Labour’s shadow schools minister, criticised the Conservative Government for a “lack of clear guidance threatening children’s futures and failing communities.”
He said: “The Government’s own independent review highlights the need to tackle exclusions and ensure children are supported in order to improve life chances. No parent wants to see their child excluded from school but once again the Conservatives have treated our children and their future opportunities as an afterthought.”
The National Association of Head Teachers said schools following guidance were sometimes forced to suspend students in cases of persistent rule breaking and unsafe behaviour, with school leaders making tough decisions to keep everyone safe. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the union, said exclusions are always a last resort – and have fallen to an all-time low across England – but should not mean the end of the road for pupils affected.
He added: “Unfortunately cuts to health and social care services mean that the safety net for excluded young people has too many holes in it. This is something that the Government should address urgently.”
A Department for Education spokeswoman said permanent exclusions are a rare but necessary way of managing behaviour – and should not mean exclusion from education.
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