Action plan to cut ‘unacceptably high’ exclusion rates across town
AN ACTION plan has been drawn up by authorities in Doncaster to tackle high numbers of children being excluded from school.
More than 30 per cent of all pupils were excluded in Doncaster in the 2015/16 academic year, Ofsted figures show, equivalent to 5,588 children being given one or more fixed-period exclusions.
But while council bosses were keen to stress the town fared “no better or worse” than other local authorities in South Yorkshire, a report put before cabinet members shows a recent sharp spike in the number of permanent exclusions and a “growing demand” for placements outside mainstream provision.
A behaviour review has concluded there is insufficient provision in Doncaster to meet the needs of young people with acute social, emotional and mental health needs including those with autism. These factors, the report states, have led to poor attendance and low educational achievement in many cases.
In a bid to improve attendance rates, local-authority bosses have created audits and action plans in more than 50 schools.
Damian Allen, director of people, said they were determined to reduce “unacceptably” high exclusion rates in some secondary schools. “It is important to note that our young people are no better or worse behaved than children in other areas,” he said.
“We see fixed-term exclusion as a last resort when all other sanctions have failed, although we recognise that there are rare occasions when a fixed-term exclusion is warranted. We are currently consulting on a wide-ranging strategic review of behaviour and have recently launched a new attendance strategy to encourage higher attendance rates, particularly in our secondary academies.
“Doncaster is now designated as a Social Mobility Opportunity Area with the main goal being to improve outcomes for our disadvantaged children and young people. A key focus is to improve attendance and prevent exclusions so they get the best possible education and improved life chances.”