THE number of pupils excluded from Wee County schools has fallen slightly, new research has shown, writes SCOTT McCLYMONT.

 

An annual Scottish Govern-ment report reveals there were 563 exclusions in Clackmannan- shire schools last year – down by 16 from last year’s total. This figure is similar to those gathered in 2006/07 when 579 pupils were reprimanded.

While temporary exclusions from the council’s schools continued to fall, they remained relatively high overall in 2008/2009.

 

Exclusion rates from Clack-mannanshire’s primary schools are low, with 66 primary school children, but they highlight a small number of individual pupils who are having difficulty coping with school and these are being helped by the council’s range of support services.

 

In total there were 463 exclusions among 213 pupils in the county’s secondary schools.

 

The council expects this rate to fall significantly in 2009/2010 because of actions taken by schools and the council which are already beginning to reduce the numbers of exclusions.

 

A council spokeswomen said: “The work that has been done on restorative practice and on changing the ways in which young people are taught is beginning to have a positive impact on behaviour.

 

“The hugely improved working environments in our three new secondary schools are also having a positive impact. The work which staff in schools are doing to promote respect generally is also having a positive impact.”

 

Ochil MSP Keith Brown, who is also minister for school and skills, said: “As the local MSP I am pleased that the rate of exclusions in Clackmann-anshire has fallen for the first time since 2002. This is clear evidence that schools across the Wee County have been working hard to prevent situations getting to a stage where exclusion becomes necessary.

 

“Though exclusions in Clack- mannanshire fell by around 2.5 per cent, this is still a fair bit lower than the national average which saw a drop of 15 per cent,  and I have asked for a meeting with council officials find out how they intend to build on the

success of the past year.

 

“It is important to ensure that sufficient resources are provided to target the appropriate areas and I am concerned that the council’s proposed budget cuts have the potential to hamper future progress.”

 

Councillor George Match-ett, inclusion portfolio holder, said: “While last year’s total number of exclusions is disappointing, the council is confident that the well-grounded actions which are being taken in our new secondary schools are having a positive impact – numbers of exclusions are on the way down.”

 

Councillor Mark English was more cautious, saying: “While there has been a slight downward trend in Clacks school exclusions – perhaps helped somewhat by the new improved school environment – the figures compare badly with the rest of Scotland and are unacceptably high and certainly a cause for concern.”

 

He added: “The different approaches to discipline app-lied by our three secondary schools make it difficult to measure the success or failure of the different policies applied.

 

“One area where I have had positive feedback regarding school discipline is in the im-plementation of Restorative Practices in our schools.”

 

While the peer mediation system has been successful in helping pupils face up to their actions,  Cllr English fears funding for the programme is due to end soon.