Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce "off-rolling" of Year 11 pupils from school rolls; and whether such pupils should still be included in school performance tables.

Pupils leave school rolls for many reasons including: permanent exclusion, moving to another school, or changes of circumstances (such as when a pupil moves to a new area). All schools must notify the local authority when a pupil’s name is to be deleted from the admission register. There is no legal definition of ‘off-rolling’. However, the law is clear that a pupil’s name can only be deleted from the admission register on the grounds prescribed in regulation 8 of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended.

Statutory guidance on exclusions is also clear that ‘informal’ or ‘unofficial’ exclusions are unlawful, regardless of whether they occur with the agreement of parents or carers. Any exclusion of a pupil, even for short periods of time, must be formally recorded.

Following media coverage of inappropriate off-rolling last summer, the department wrote to all secondary schools, reminding them of the rules surrounding exclusion.

Ofsted has recently consulted on proposals that will see inspectors paying particular attention to signs of off-rolling, and if it is found, reflecting this in the school’s inspection judgement. Ofsted will publish the outcome of its consultation in due course.

In March 2018, the government launched an externally-led review of exclusions practice, led by Edward Timpson CBE. The review is exploring how head teachers use exclusion, and why pupils with particular characteristics are more likely to be excluded from school. It is also considering the differences in exclusion rates across primary and secondary schools in England.

The Timpson review and the government’s response were published on 7 May. The review makes 30 recommendations and highlights variation in exclusions practice across different schools, local authorities and certain groups of children. The government agrees with all 30 recommendation in principle and will be taking forward an ambitious response which respects headteachers’ powers to use exclusion, while equipping schools to support children at risk of exclusion.