Talks to reduce number of exclusions

CALDERDALE councillors are to discuss ways in which they can reduce the number of children and young people permanently excluded from schools.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th Jun 2010, 11:02 BST

Updated 25th Jun 2010, 11:08 BST

Between September 2009 and May 2010, a total of 29 secondary pupils and three primary school pupils were excluded in Calderdale.

Members of the council's Children and Young People's Scrutiny Panel will discuss a report on Tuesday outlining how schools can work more closely with the council's Pupil Referral Unit to try to prevent pupils being permanently excluded.

In September, Calderdale will convene its Secondary Behaviour and Attendance Partnership. All secondary schools, including the Council's Pupil Referral Unit will be represented on the partnership.

The report says that, as the

partnership develops, it is expected that other organisations, such as the Young People's Service, Youth Offending Team, Police, Family Service and Early Years Service will become more involved.

Scrutiny Chairman Coun Megan Swift says that while the number of permanent exclusions is small, more needs to be done to try to reduce the number.