There has been a “significant reduction” in the rate of looked after children being excluded from Stewartry schools.
Figures presented to area committee this week revealed there were 26.32 exclusions per 1,000 children in 2021/22 – well below the previous year’s figure of 93.02.
It’s also significantly below the target of 80.
The education department’s end of year assessment stated that helping lower the rate further “continues to be a priority area of the local authority”.
It added: “The Better Relationships Better Learning approach continues to be encouraged, and schools in the Stewartry area are being supported to develop inclusive practices and build relationships to promote positive behaviours.
“Policies and procedures are in place for monitoring pupil exclusions. Exclusions are monitored on an on-going basis and monthly reports are produced and shared with appropriate staff with aspirational targets set at zero.”
The report also reveals that the overall exclusion rate among Stewartry schools fell from 12.40 per 1,000 pupils in 2020/21 to 7.14 the following year, well below the council’s target which was set at 23.09.
The attendance rate rose from 93 per cent – the council’s target – to 95.8 per cent.
The attendance rate among looked after children rose from 86 per cent to 93 per cent – the same as the target.
