The Big Question

Len Smith -Gypsy activist

In the short term it could work, but a longer-term answer would
have to look at why someone is excluded from school in the first
place. The government would need to consider poverty and
deprivation. It would require more investment in money for deprived
families and emotional and social support as well.

Karen Shook – Disability equality adviser

Sharing out excluded pupils could go either way – some may
say “I’m the naughty one, let’s disrupt everybody
else”; others will be impressed by what their peers can achieve and
aspire to be like them. There are various reasons why children get
excluded and it is wrong to think that there is a quick fix.

Jaya Kathrecha – carer

This is a very good idea. Excluded children are usually put
together in the same inner city school while other schools achieve
higher academic levels. If they go to the same schools as
academically able children, the benefits might rub off on them.
Some excluded children are very bright – they just need a
role model.

Kierra Box – Young people’s activist

No school wants disruptive pupils but no pupil wants to be
taught in a homogenised school. It is not only unfair for one
school to take a disproportionate share of the excluded, but
equally wrong for other young people to be shielded from peers who
– despite past mistakes – may contribute to a truly
diverse and inclusive education.