Commenting on the latest exclusion statistics published by
Government, Rosamund McNeil, Assistant General Secretary at the
National Education Union, said:
"When exclusion figures show a clear disparity for Black students
and students eligible for free school meals, it is time to ask
some big questions about the curriculum, students' perspectives
about what is on offer to them in school and the issues that turn
young people off learning. One important part of the solution on
exclusions is an engaging and representative curriculum, matched
with targeted support for emotional and social difficulties.
Curriculum and behaviour are intertwined, but the Department for
Education often acts as if how pupils feel and behave and what
and how they learn are not connected.
"School leaders continue to be deeply concerned by the impact of
funding cuts on their options for providing individual support.
This shortfall is exacerbated by larger class sizes and teachers
reporting less time than ever to develop quality relationships
with learners. The Government should tackle the financial
challenges faced by schools and listen seriously to teachers'
concerns about the downsides of a demotivating exam factory
culture driven by the DfE.
"We need honesty about the correlation between SEND funding cuts
and the rates of exclusion for young people with additional
needs, because specialist support staff and appropriate group
sizes need funding. It is clear that underinvestment by
Government in SEND support has led to cuts to support staff in
schools and this removes what students need in order to engage
with what's happening in class. There will be a real challenge in
September around inclusion as DfE hasn't provided enough support
on SEND.
"One in three children are now trapped in poverty, and the
Government has a responsibility to tackle the economic hardship
and social deprivation faced by so many families. We need a
joined-up approach across education, mental health and youth
services if we're going to give young people a sense of agency
and optimism about their lives.
"The events of 2020 should act as a catalyst for creative
thinking about what helps young people feel confident, valued and
engaged in school. There is an opportunity to change education
policy for the better and to remove the barriers that deter many
young people from engaging with learning."
