Contextualising Inequalities in Rates of School Exclusion in English Schools: Beneath the ‘Tip of the Ice-Berg’

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing emphasis internationally on better understanding the links between inequalities and processes within school systems. In England there has been a particular focus on rates of school exclusion because the national data has consistently highlighted troubling patterns of over-representation. This paper argues that a move away from recorded exclusion to other forms of sanction and provision makes more contextualised readings of these data key to better understanding their association with inequalities. It also explores the challenges faced by key stakeholders working to reduce inequalities within an increasingly marketised system. It concludes that embedding consistent good practice across the system remains a critical challenge.

Keywords:

• school exclusion
• educational inequalities
• social disadvantage education policy
• inclusion

6.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to express our thanks to the two expert advisory groups that reviewed the initial findings. These included representatives from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Young People’s Advisory Group on Exclusions, facilitated by the Runnymede Trust; academics and professional stakeholders with expertise in the area of school exclusion; representatives of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. The views expressed in this paper are, however, those of the researchers.

Notes

1 See http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/info/schoolexclusions

2 In secondary schools in England young people in receipt of Free School Meals are those from the lowest income households.

3 Disadvantage is the term used in England to refer to children and young people for whom schools in England are allocated Pupil Premium funding. This includes those in receipt of Free School Meals, a measure of low household income.

4 For more on this previous study see Gazeley and Dunne (2013).

5 Those attracting Pupil Premium funding, including those in receipt of Free School Meals.

6 Source: DfE Closing the Gap data, 2012.

7 This group makes up 15.7% of the secondary school population nationally. Source DfE performance data: http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/index.html

Additional information

Funding

We would like to express our thanks to the Office of the Children's Commissioner for funding the research.