Department of Education

Exclusions in English schools should be used as a last resort

Posted on 24 June 2020

Education PhD student, Laura Oxley and co-author, Dr John Tillson from Liverpool Hope University research shows the need for exclusion policies to be re-examined before the full return to school after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Exclusions are often an ineffective deterrent to bad behaviour in the classroom and can exacerbate feelings of rejection and isolation, researchers argue.

The research – involving academics from the University of York – also says that schools need extra support if they are to implement ‘wide, systemic reform’ to ensure children are not ‘disproportionately harmed’ when removed from classrooms.

Study authors call for exclusion policies to be re-examined before the full return to school after the Coronavirus pandemic - as children returning may have experienced bereavement, trauma and anxiety which could affect their behaviour.

Read the full article 'Exclusions in English schools should be used as a last resort'.