Devon Association of Governors - Run by Devon Governors for Devon Governors

School Exclusions Task Group

DAG Members Invited to Contribute

From Dan Looker, Scrutiny Officer, Devon County Council

A review on school exclusions is being carried out by a task group set up by Devon County Council’s Children and Young People’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  This review will examine the use in Devon of fixed term exclusions, permanent exclusions and managed moves.  Members will assess the cost of providing education and support to children excluded from school, and particular attention will be focussed on the impact of effective behaviour management in schools and the Council’s role in promoting the former.

The review is being carried out in response to the Government’s agenda to reduce exclusions from schools to a minimum, and for councils and schools to look at ways of managing pupils’ behaviour.

Schools have a number of mechanisms for dealing with poor behaviour, but when these have been exhausted the ultimate sanction for a school is to use a permanent exclusion.  This is usually seen very much as a last resort by schools.

The Task Group is inviting anyone with a view to share about issues relating to school exclusions, whether positive or negative, to contribute to the review.

Councillor Anne Fry, Chairman of the Task Group said: “This review is about examining the overall picture of school exclusions in Devon and looking at how we can best improve the outcomes for those children excluded or at risk from exclusion, and identifying the way forward for the County.”

“Public consultation is very important to us and will help to shape the Task Group’s final recommendations so please do get in touch if you have ideas and opinions you would like to share.  You can make a real difference.”

Anyone who is interested in taking part and giving evidence to the Task Group, or would like an informal chat or more information can contact Dan Looker in the Scrutiny Team on 01392 382722.

Letters and e-mails are also welcome and can be used as evidence to support this review.  E-mail , or post to Dan Looker, Scrutiny, CEX, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter  EX2 4QD.

All submissions should be received by 30 May 2008.  It is anticipated that the Task Group will present its final report to the Children and Young People’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 24 July 2008.