Number of school exclusions rises

The number of permanent exclusions from primary and secondary
schools has increased by 11 per cent, according to the latest
government statistics.

In 2000/2001, there were 9,210 exclusions, a rise from 8,323 in
the previous year, the statistics from the department for education
and skills show.

The highest increase in exclusions was in primary schools, where
children banned from schools rose by 19 per cent on the previous
year. This was in comparison to a 10 per cent rise in secondary
schools from 1999/2000.

According to the figures, 61 per cent of permanent bars from
schools were of pupils aged between 13 and 15. In secondary
schools, there were an estimated 7,410 exclusions in 2000/2001.

On a more positive note, the number of pupils who were excluded
from special schools actually fell by 11 per cent from 384 to 340
in 2000/2001.

However, the permanent exclusion rate for pupils with statements
of special educational needs, an estimated 0.3 per cent, was three
times as high as that for pupils without statements, which was 0.1
per cent in 2000/2001.

The majority of children excluded are boys, who account for 83
per cent.