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Exclusion From Schools In Scotland: Guidance to Education Authorities Authorities Circular 8/03
Education Department Pupil Support and Inclusion Division
To: Chief Executives of Local Authorities Copy to: Directors of Education and Area Offices
Headteachers
School Boards
Directors of Social Work
Other interested organisations | Victoria Quay
Edinburgh EH6 6QQ
Telephone: 0131-244 7848
Fax: 0131-244 7943
Joanna.young@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
http://www.scotland.gov.uk
<<Date >> |
Dear Sir/Madam
CIRCULAR NO 8/03
EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL
This Circular offers guidance on issues concerning exclusion from school and supersedes guidance issued in Circular 2/98.
It can be necessary to exclude a pupil from school in the interests of meeting the needs of the majority of pupils and teachers and helping foster an environment in which they can learn and teach with as little disruption as is possible.
The power to exclude a pupil from school rests with the relevant local authority and each authority should operate under locally produced exclusion guidelines. This Circular offers guidance on the contents of these local guidelines.
It also sets out the policy context within which these guidelines should be prepared.
The Minister for Education and Young People set out the Executive's policy on exclusion in the answer to a Parliamentary Question in July 2003. This statement confirmed the role of exclusion as a sanction schools may use, sitting within a wider framework of effective policies and practices within which exclusion is a legitimate last resort. The Minister also emphasised the need to ensure the rights of the majority of pupils who are hard working and well behaved, and of teachers, to enjoy a positive learning environment. The Minister's Parliamentary answer provides the Foreword to the guidance.
A number of additions have been made to the previous guidance on exclusions from school to reflect this policy context. Key changes are as follows:
- Increased emphasis on ensuring the safety and positive learning and teaching environment for the whole school. Decisions on exclusion may be taken to safeguard the rights of all pupils and staff to learn without fear or disruption.
- Recognition of the responsibilities pupils and parents must share in maintaining positive behaviour in schools.
- Introduction of the principle of supporting victims of anti-social or violent behaviour, and of developing approaches such as mediation, or restorative justice, to prepare the pupils, their parents and staff, and the excluded pupil, to re-integrate him or her into school in ways which encourage a positive school atmosphere.
The guidance continues to emphasise the importance of meeting the educational needs of excluded pupils, and highlights the duties to provide alternative education for them. It also now suggests a maximum period of interruption to education beyond which alternative education must be provided.
Enquiries
The guidance sets out the roles and responsibilities of education authorities in relation to exclusion from school, and the schools under their management to which they may delegate some of these responsibilities. It will also be of interest to a range of other agencies likely to be involved in the development of approaches to exclusion in schools, as well as to School Boards, parents and pupils.
Any enquiries on this Circular should be directed to Rod Burns (telephone 0131 244 0949), The Scottish Executive Education Department, Area 3A (North), Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ.
Yours faithfully
JOANNA YOUNG
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