Fife primary has highest suspension rate in country.

Stats raise questions over approaches to unruly behaviour

A Fife prmary school recorded the highest pupil suspension in Scotland’s primaries in the 2018-19 academic year.

Pathhead Primary School in Kirkcaldy had the most “temporary exclusion” charts, according to statistics published by the Scottish Government, recording 224 half-day suspensions.

Three more of the region’s primary schools featured in the top 12, with Denend Primary in Cardenden ninth on the list with 99, and Fair Isle Primary and Strathallan Primary in Kirkcaldy sitting in 11th and 12th, respectively, with 98.

Fife also made the top 10 in relation to secondary school suspensions, as Beath High School in Cowdenbeath racked up 591 half-day exclusions to put it sixth highest on the national table. The statistics, which are produced every two years, raise question marks about the approach of different local authorities to unruly behaviour.

The vast majority of schools in Scotland had zero temporary suspensions, or could not disclose the number because it was fewer than five.

In response to Fife’s presence on both the primary and secondary school temporary exclusion lists, Shelagh McLean, head of education at Fife Council, said: “Our schools aim to promote positive behaviour to help all pupils learn in the best environment possible. Good discipline is an important part of school life and schools will use exclusions only when absolutely necessary and in accordance with the legislative framework.

“If a pupil falls short of the behaviour expected, there are a number of different strategies that will be considered and the most appropriate action will be taken.”

The figures confirmed Lochside Academy, a £47 million secondary school in Aberdeen, recorded the highest pupil suspension rate in

Scotland in the first year it was open with 991 half-day suspensions last year.

Northfield Academy, also in Aberdeen, had the second highest number of temporary exclusions in Scotland, at 897 half days.

Beath High was the highest in Fife, ahead of St Columba’s RC High in Dunfermline which recorded 375, while Perth and Kinross Council’s highest secondary school numbers were 393 at Perth Grammar School and 315 at Perth High School.

Forfar Academy’s 307 half-day suspensions put it top of the secondary schools in Angus, ahead of Arbroath Academy with 276, while Craigie High’s 212 cases put it top in Dundee ahead of Harris Academy with 206.

In relation to primary schools, Courier Country’s figures as a whole were relatively small compared to Pathhead’s tally.

Northmuir Primary in Angus and Breadalbane Academy in Perth and Kinross topped their respective lists with 49 half-day instances, while Tayview Primary’s 40 was the highest in Dundee.

Pathhead Primary in Kirkcaldy had more temporary exclusions than the rest of Courier Country combined.