Concerns raised over high level of school exclusion rates

Exclusion rates at Angus schools have raised concerns from a local MSP.

Statistics released by Angus Council reveal that in the first nine months of the school year, from August 2017 up to April this year, there were 153 exclusions.

In the previous school year – the worst for exclusions in the last five – 190 pupils were excluded.

Forfar Academy has the most exclusions this year so far, with 36 in the nine months to April – a sharp rise from the total of 23 in 2016/17. Arbroath Academy had 35 exclusions by April, compared with 38 in 2016/17.

There were also 13 pupils excluded between August and April at Carnoustie High School, up from 11 in 2016/17.

Webster’s High School had five exclusions in the nine months to April, up from three in 2016/17.

North east Scottish Conservative MSP Bill Bowman said: “Arbroath Academy and Forfar Academy in particular appear to have very high rates of exclusions. In both cases, it is alarming to see there has been an increase of nearly 50% since 2014.

A council spokesperson said staff were given “extensive training aimed at reducing harm”, and that exclusion was a “last resort”.

He added: “By their very nature, these type of incidents will vary – from incident to incident, pupil to pupil, year to year and school to school. All are dealt with in accordance with the school’s own behaviour management policy.

“We work closely with all our schools and monitor all exclusions to try to prevent and reduce the type of incidents that can lead to exclusion recurring,” he said.