Pupil Exclusions: Behaviour Disorders

(asked on 16th January 2024) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of children prescribed Elvanse who are (a) currently without medication and (b) excluded from school due to behavioural issues.


Answered by
Damian Hinds Portrait
Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
This question was answered on 25th January 2024

The information requested is not held by the department.

Creating school cultures with high expectations of behaviour is a priority for the government. The department supports head teachers in using exclusion where warranted as a part of creating calm, safe and supportive environments which bring out the best in every pupil.

The updated ‘Statutory Suspension and Permanent Exclusion’ guidance is clear that head teachers should consider any underlying causes of misbehaviour before issuing an exclusion, this may include where a pupil has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. More information on the guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1181584/Suspension_and_permanent_exclusion_guidance_september_23.pdf.

The department’s guidance, 'Understanding your data: a guide for school governors and academy trustees’ also makes clear governing boards should carefully consider the level and characteristics of pupils who are leaving the school and deploy maximum challenge to the school on any permanent exclusions to ensure it is only used as a last resort. More information on the guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-your-data-a-guide-for-school-governors-and-academy-trustees/understanding-your-data-a-guide-for-school-governors-and-academy-trustees.

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