MP, Labour’s Shadow
Education Secretary, responding to news that the
government has refused to commit to a publication timetable for
the Review into school exclusions,
said:
“This shambolic Tory government is utterly paralysed by Brexit
and their own internal divisions, with Ministers dragging their
feet rather than taking the action needed to address the major
challenges our country faces.
“The government should match Labour’s proposals to tackle
informal school exclusions – so-called ‘off-rolling’ – to
address the scandal of thousands of children falling off school
rolls and often out of the education system altogether, leaving
them at risk of exploitation by criminal gangs. This government
is refusing to implement a policy with cross-party support that
would support thousands of vulnerable children.
“Labour will address this scandal by ending the perverse
incentives inherent in our education system. The next Labour
government will stop schools receiving funding for pupils that
disappear off school roles, and ensure that schools are
responsible for the outcomes of pupils they have excluded until
another permanent school place is found for them.
“This government has no plan, no vision and no hope of delivering
the change we need.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
- Speaking in Parliament during the Business Statement, Leader
of the House refused to commit to a
timetable for the publication of the Timpson Review.
- The terms of reference for the Timpson Review into school
exclusions were published in March 2018
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusions-review-terms-of-reference
- Labour vows to tackle “off-rolling” scandal
https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-vows-tackle-off-rolling-scandal-thousands-students-disappear-off-school-rolls/
- School exclusions linked to knife crime according to Police
and Crime Commissioners, the Children’s Commission and the Home
Office
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47470502
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/exclusions-from-school-drive-rising-gang-crime-pjm5jv3hs
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jul/15/school-exclusions-put-children-at-risk-gang-grooming
