New policy saw rise in exclusions

EXCLUSION numbers soared at Swansea’s pupil referral unit (PRU) when staff enforced the non-smoking policy, and the move seems to be working.

The PRU caters for pupils aged five to 16 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.

There were 123 fixed-term exclusions in 2016-17, rising to 258 and then 514 in the following two years.

The figures were contained in a report which was discussed by a council education scrutiny panel.

Speaking at the scrutiny meeting, Nick Williams, Swansea council’s director of education, said: “In the past learners were allowed to smoke on the premises, because it was not worth the hassle, so to speak. We have challenged that – that has impacted on the figures.”

Mr Williams explained it was sometimes in the best interests of learners and staff to use “the ultimate sanction”, especially in response to aggressive behaviour.

The figures also showed an increase in exclusions across Swansea’s schools, including the PRU, from 726 in 2016-17, to 1,003 and 1,418 in the following two years.

Some schools experienced sharp rises, such as Gowerton School, Penyrheol Comprehensive School and Trallwn Primary School.

Bishop Gore School exclusions trebled in one year, but then tapered off in 2018-19.

Cllr Jennifer Raynor, cabinet member for education improvement, learning and skills, praised Birchgrove comprehensive and Dylan Thomas Community Schools for their success in taking on excluded pupils from other schools.

“I think there is a lot we can learn,” she said. “Should those children have been in that school in the first instance?”

Cllr Raynor added that some exclusions were just a day, or even half a day, but still had to be recorded.

The report before the scrutiny panel said the number of school exclusions in Swansea “compare favourably with Wales”.

Speaking after the scrutiny meeting, a council spokesman said of the nonsmoking enforcement at the Swansea PRU over the last 18 months: “We want to encourage pupils at all our schools to lead healthier lifestyles and support and advice on smoking cessation is offered to all pupils.

“It provided an opportunity for pupils to look at the reasons why smoking is restricted in many places and the chance to also consider the effects of passive smoking.

“On passive smoking we have a duty to the staff in the PRU.

“The PRU has seen fewer exclusions in the recent months for smoking on site.”