Violent student re-enrolled

A West Coast high school that excluded a boy for violence has been ordered to take him back.

Stuff understands the boy, who is under 16 and has complex needs, was a student at Westland High School, which covers year 7 to year 13. He has a history of assaults on students at the Hokitika school, as well as damaging school property.

Before excluding him, the school applied to have him transferred to a Christchurch school for students with behavioural issues but was declined.

The school unsuccessfully applied for support through the Ministry of Education’s intensive wraparound service, which provides specialist multi-agency care for children with challenging behaviour or learning needs.

The board subsequently excluded the student but then received a letter from the ministry requiring the school to immediately take him back.

The board unsuccessfully argued the decision. It is understood the child is not in school while a transition programme and support systems are set up.

Board chairman Latham Martin said he could not talk about individual students.

‘‘Westland High School followed the Ministry of Education prescribed process in relation to stand-downs, suspensions and exclusions. This includes ministry directives in relation to reenrolling excluded students. In all instances, we are working for the best interests of all students.’’

Ministry figures show 98 expelled or excluded students were reinstated to their schools last year. Ministry deputy secretary Katrina Casey said every child and young person had a right to an education.

If another school was not found within 10 days of the child being excluded, the ministry could lift the exclusion or direct the board of any other state school to enrol the student; or arrange for the student to enrol at the Correspondence School.

The ministry’s regional learning support team had specialist staff with expertise in behaviour issues, including psychologists, who could help the student reintegrate into school.

Former board member Andy Thompson said he had seen similar issues several times.

Exclusions were made only in extreme circumstances, he said.

‘‘We had great discussions about the safety of the children at the school and the ministry was saying: you have got to have them back. It was a real struggle for the school,’’ he said.

While there was support for children with disabilities, there was not the same for those with behavioural issues, he said.

‘‘If a child needs a minder so they don’t assault students and staff, who is going to pay for that?’’ Correspondence learning was not always possible because many parents struggled with home schooling, he said.

Greymouth High School principal Andy England said his school had not excluded anyone in at least 13 years, preferring to get students into alternative education, such as trades courses.

The school also ran a militarystyle academyfor students aged 16 and over.

‘‘Generally do I think the ministry’s support is sufficient? Probably not,’’ he said.

Greymouth High had taken some excluded students from Westland High School, he said.

‘‘The ministry doesn’t say there’s an at-risk student transferring, here’s some extra funding for a teacher aide.

‘‘I have to recognise there’s a problem and then kick up a fuss.’’

An ‘‘interim response fund’’ of $500 was available to pay for a teacher aide for 20 hours to work with a student.

The intensive wraparound service was excellent but difficult to access, he said.

EXCLUSION RATES: Excluded students reinstated into the same school: 2013: 113; 2014: 86; 2015: 68; 2016: 73; 2017: 98.

Excluded students enrolled in another school or Correspondence School: 2013: 129; 2014: 93; 2015: 86; 2016: 64; 2017: 130.