Figures show a “significant” rise in permanent school exclusions in Gateshead with cases almost doubling in a year.
Figures obtained from a Gateshead Council report show permanent exclusions from schools in the area have risen from 50 in 2022/23 to 94 in 2022/23. The data includes exclusions from schools not maintained by the local authority, which make up 82% of the cases of expulsion.
A Gateshead Council spokesperson said: “We have seen a significant rise in permanent school exclusions across the borough, from 50 pupils in 2021/22 to 94 pupils in 2022/23.
- Read More: 16 Gateshead shops ordered to temporarily close doors after being caught selling illicit tobacco
“These figures include pupils from academies and non-maintained schools, which account for 82% of the permanent exclusions made in Gateshead this academic year.
“We are committed to supporting our children and young people to stay in education and are working closely with all education providers to prioritise bringing the high permanent exclusion rate down.”
The permanent exclusions per 10,000 in Gateshead have been higher than the national average since 2019. In 2021/22 the rate stood at 0.04% whereas in Gateshead the figure was 0.10%.
According to government guidance, reasons for exclusion can include but are not limited to:
• Physical assault against a pupil
• Physical assault against an adult
• Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil
• Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult
• Use, or threat of use, of an offensive weapon or prohibited item that has been
prohibited by a school’s behaviour policy
• Bullying
• Racist abuse
• Abuse against sexual orientation or gender reassignment
• Abuse relating to disability
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
