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'High cost' of school exclusion 'High cost' of school exclusion
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The "true cost" of permanently excluding pupils from school could be £300,000 for every child, claims an interim assembly government report.The "true cost" of permanently excluding pupils from school could be £300,000 for every child, claims an interim assembly government report.
The National Behaviour and Attendance Review looked at factors including future employment chances and estimated costs to the wider community.The National Behaviour and Attendance Review looked at factors including future employment chances and estimated costs to the wider community.
It also expresses concern that unauthorised absences in Welsh primary schools are double those in England.It also expresses concern that unauthorised absences in Welsh primary schools are double those in England.
The full report and recommendations are expected early next year.The full report and recommendations are expected early next year.
I would urge everyone who has an interest in improving behaviour and attendance in our schools to read the report Jane Hutt, Education MinisterI would urge everyone who has an interest in improving behaviour and attendance in our schools to read the report Jane Hutt, Education Minister
The interim report states that the costs to the individual of being permanently excluded from school were "very high indeed" but warns that the costs to the community as a whole were also "very high".The interim report states that the costs to the individual of being permanently excluded from school were "very high indeed" but warns that the costs to the community as a whole were also "very high".
The review gives examples of the extra public spending which can result from removing a pupil.The review gives examples of the extra public spending which can result from removing a pupil.
These include educating the child elsewhere and the bill from deploying services such as social care, benefits and probation service.These include educating the child elsewhere and the bill from deploying services such as social care, benefits and probation service.
The estimate cost to the individual ranges from a reduced chance of securing stable employment, to the risk of getting into crime and substance abuse. The estimated cost to the individual ranges from a reduced chance of securing stable employment, to the risk of getting into crime and substance abuse.
The document emphasis that "exclusion, therefore, needs to be seen in the context of a big decision, bearing in mind major cost implications for the individual and the community".The document emphasis that "exclusion, therefore, needs to be seen in the context of a big decision, bearing in mind major cost implications for the individual and the community".
The interim report emphasises that most schools in Wales are "orderly and well-managed" but expresses concern over a rise in the number of primary school pupils missing lessons.The interim report emphasises that most schools in Wales are "orderly and well-managed" but expresses concern over a rise in the number of primary school pupils missing lessons.
The report says: "Between 2005-2006, rates of unauthorised absence in primary schools in Wales were exactly double that of England.The report says: "Between 2005-2006, rates of unauthorised absence in primary schools in Wales were exactly double that of England.
"Secondary absences are also much too high, with significant variations occurring between local authorities and schools throughout and across Wales.""Secondary absences are also much too high, with significant variations occurring between local authorities and schools throughout and across Wales."
INTERIM REPORT KEY POINTS The 'true cost' of permanent exclusion could cost £300,000 per childPrimary school unauthorised absences are twice England'sAttendance and behaviour managed 'unevenly' across WalesLack of trainingDrab buildings make it harder to achieve disciplineINTERIM REPORT KEY POINTS The 'true cost' of permanent exclusion could cost £300,000 per childPrimary school unauthorised absences are twice England'sAttendance and behaviour managed 'unevenly' across WalesLack of trainingDrab buildings make it harder to achieve discipline
The report's steering group describes "unevenness and erratic" methods of managing school attendance and behaviour in Wales.The report's steering group describes "unevenness and erratic" methods of managing school attendance and behaviour in Wales.
Causes identified include "widely different" support from authorities, a general lack of resources, short-term funding and families taking budget price holidays in term time.Causes identified include "widely different" support from authorities, a general lack of resources, short-term funding and families taking budget price holidays in term time.
The report sees a need for better training for people working with children, including teachers, health and social workers.The report sees a need for better training for people working with children, including teachers, health and social workers.
The authors say it is "evident" that "large numbers of existing professionals" have received "little or no training for their roles in managing attendance or behaviour".The authors say it is "evident" that "large numbers of existing professionals" have received "little or no training for their roles in managing attendance or behaviour".
They found the way schools dealt with exclusions varied "considerably" between different local authorities, despite "adequate guidance" from the assembly government.They found the way schools dealt with exclusions varied "considerably" between different local authorities, despite "adequate guidance" from the assembly government.
'Drab and demeaning''Drab and demeaning'
The need to improve some school buildings was also highlighted.The need to improve some school buildings was also highlighted.
"It is far more difficult to secure good attendance, positive behaviour and to promote respect and regard for one another in an environment that is drab and demeaning," the report says."It is far more difficult to secure good attendance, positive behaviour and to promote respect and regard for one another in an environment that is drab and demeaning," the report says.
Improving the leadership of some schools was also suggested, as well as the possibility of bringing parents into classrooms.Improving the leadership of some schools was also suggested, as well as the possibility of bringing parents into classrooms.
The report says research in the United States has "highlighted the benefits of using parents in classroom situations both for learning and behavioural support".The report says research in the United States has "highlighted the benefits of using parents in classroom situations both for learning and behavioural support".
The review team was chaired by Swansea Institute of Higher Education deputy principal Professor Ken Reid.The review team was chaired by Swansea Institute of Higher Education deputy principal Professor Ken Reid.
Those taking part included teachers, behaviour specialists and welfare officers.Those taking part included teachers, behaviour specialists and welfare officers.
Prof Reid said the report was aimed at generating further debate.Prof Reid said the report was aimed at generating further debate.
Education Minister Jane Hutt said she urged "everyone who has an interest in improving behaviour and attendance in our schools" to read the report.Education Minister Jane Hutt said she urged "everyone who has an interest in improving behaviour and attendance in our schools" to read the report.