Calderdale school exclusion rise a major concern - council

Calderdale Council says it had been an "unprecedented year" for school expulsions

A rise in the number of pupils excluded from schools in Calderdale was a "major cause for concern", a report said.

Figures show 78 pupils were excluded in the borough in 2021-22, rising to 98 in 2022-23.

Of those 98, 11 were barred for assaulting a fellow student, 18 for assaulting an adult and one for having a weapon.

Calderdale Council said it was working to address behaviour and called permanent exclusions a "last resort".

Julie Jenkins, director of young people and children's services at the council, called the most recent figures an "unprecedented year" for expulsions.

"The significant rise in the number of pupils excluded is a major cause for concern," she said.

'A last resort'

Ms Jenkins, who compiled the report, said persistent disruptive behaviour accounted for 64 out of the 98 expulsions.

She said there were also concerns over the rise in children being expelled from primary schools - with 11 pupils expelled in 2021-22, rising to 20 in 2022-23.

The report highlighted the fact the number of pupils excluded exceeded the number of alternative placements the council could provide.

The council said it had commissioned more places for the 2023-24 year and had agreed a process to reintegrate children back to mainstream schools through a fair access panel.

Adam Wilkinson, Calderdale Council's cabinet member for children, said a "similar picture" had been seen across England since the Covid pandemic.

"We want all children to remain in mainstream education and we continue to work with schools to promote good behaviour and address the needs of young people to avoid them being excluded," he said.

"However, we do understand that suspensions and permanent exclusions are sometimes required, albeit as a last resort."