Welsh Government data reveals shocking number of exclusions from Welsh schools

Freedom of information data uncovered by the Welsh Conservatives has revealed the shocking number of exclusions from Welsh schools recorded over a three-year period.

The data, released by the Welsh Government, shows that between 2011/12 and 2013/14 – the most up-to-date records available – there were 42,196 exclusions; ranging from permanent exclusions to fixed-term exclusions.

There were 282 permanent exclusions in the three-year period with marked spikes in incidents involving drug and alcohol possession as well as verbal abuse and ‘threatening behaviour against an adult’.

For the latest academic year on record, physical assault against an adult or pupil accounted for a combined one in four of all permanent exclusions.

The most common reasons for fixed-term exclusions – accounting for 41,914 in total over the three year period – were physical assault against a pupil, physical assault against an adult, persistent disruptive behaviour and verbal abuse and threatening behaviour against an adult.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Education, Darren Millar AM, said:

“Teachers should be allowed to teach without the threat of violence or abuse by pupils, so it is very concerning that there have been tens of thousands of cases of unacceptable behaviour in Welsh classrooms in recent years.

“We need more discipline in our classrooms; more support for teachers in managing unruly behaviour; and targeted intervention to support pupils with behavioural problems.

“It is clear from these figures that the current arrangements aren’t working and that we need a Welsh Government strategy to tackle the roots of these problems once and for all.”