Helping young people remain in mainstream education

Schools in Brighton & Hove are excluding or suspending children who need additional support at a rate well below the national average.

Recently released data shows pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or with special educational needs (SEN) in the city are being successfully helped to remain within mainstream schools, a move that often significantly improves their long-term prospects.

Rates of permanent exclusion of pupils in Brighton & Hove with an EHCP remain below both the national average and the rates recorded by other similar councils. The same is true for permanent exclusion of pupils with SEN support.

Suspension of primary school pupils with an EHCP fell from 17.33% to 14.66%, dropping below the national average (16.40%) for the first time; suspension of those with SEN support (5.87%) remain below the national average (7.73%).

Within our secondary schools, suspension of pupils with an EHCP dropped significantly, from 48.03% to 27.65%, well below the national average of 47.17%. Rates of secondary school suspension of students with SEN support also fell, from 24.38% to 23.24%, against a national average of 47.82%.

Data shows approach is working

The data, which reflects official statistics from September 2022 to July 2023, has been welcomed as proof work being done in local schools to keep all children in the most suitable educational environment for them is working.

One school, Patcham High School, has received particular praise after it emerged staff had not excluded a single pupil in 5 years.

Assistant head Mary Reid explained the school’s approach and why it was in the best interests of pupils. They said: “We were doing multiple suspensions to the same students and having very little impact on behaviour. When we looked at who those students were, they had far more in common than poor behaviour, such as being in receipt of free school meals, having suffered bereavement, or being on child protection plans.

“We tried to look for alternatives to exclusion and to reintegrate students into the mainstream and overall, it's been really successful and no student has had periods of missing education.”

Extended time away from classroom increases risk

Young people not in school are not only less likely to achieve academically, but missing lessons for an extended period puts them at greater risk of exploitation. The longer a young person is out of school, the greater the risk.

Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said: “Every child deserves a good education and the opportunity to realise their potential and it is very encouraging to see exclusion and suspension rates in Brighton & Hove well below the national average for children with an EHCP or with SEN support.

“This is not about allowing children to disrupt classes, but treating each child as an individual and recognising their different needs and challenges, many of which will be better overcome within mainstream education than by missing long periods of school.”

Exclusion can create more problems than it solves

Councillor Daniel added: “We know that excluding a child can create far more problems than it solves and it is fantastic to see this city’s hard-working and dedicated school staff doing all they can to make sure every child has the opportunities they deserve.

“I would like to praise staff at Patcham High School in particular for their exemplary leadership in this area. They are doing pioneering work, which is in the best interests of educating children.”