Secondary school suspensions 'horrendous' say council

Speaking at Thursday children's services, education and skills committee meeting councillors questioned the figures

The suspension rate at an island's mainstream secondary schools has been labelled as "horrendous" in a council meeting.

An Isle of Wight council report found 26.9% of secondary school pupils from mainstream schools were suspended in the 2023/24 academic year.

Speaking at Thursday children's services, education and skills committee meeting councillors questioned the figures, with Green Party councillor Joe Lever asking "what's not working?".

Kay Jones, council officer, stood in for director of children's services Ashley Whittaker, and said "school attendance is our priority" and they will respond in a letter to the councillors' concerns before the school term begins.

The report showed that the rate for the previous year was 5.6%.

Conservative Councillor Paul Brading said: "The secondary school suspensions are horrendous."

Mr Brading, who also chaired the meeting said the figures "stood out like a sore thumb".

Alliance independent councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard Paul Fuller said: "What is of concern to me is that schools might find it easier to suspend children rather than have to pick up the impact that allowing them to go through exams would have."

He called for reassurances that suspension was "a last resort".

Ms Jones thanked Mr Fuller for his question and said: "The reassurance I will give you is that school attendance is our priority. That includes in all its forms. I know that our education, inclusion and access colleagues are addressing those children who are educated other than at school.

"Also, looking at attendance in its broadest sense and any exclusions whether they be temporary suspensions or wider. What I don't have is the detail.

"We'll get a letter of response before we go back to the new school term."