New data reveals higher number of suspensions from Wiltshire school
4 in every 100 pupils missed class due to suspension last autumn
The number of school children in Wiltshire missing class because of suspension has grown in the last year.
New Government data reveals that in the 2023 Autumn term 4 in 100 pupils spent time suspended from school - up from the previous years 3 in 100.
Department of Education figures also reveal that 364,000 students were kept away from the classroom last Autumn, a rise of 98,000 on the 2022 figure.
Wiltshire Council Cabinet member for Education, Cllr Laura Mayes, told Greatest Hits Radio there has been a hangover from the Covid pandemic.
"For children for whom school is not a happy place, being away from school for a long period makes it even harder to get back," she said.
Cllr Mayes added: "We're also seeing problems in the primary area where children who were kept at home for long periods of time at a very young age, which is a huge proportion of their whole life.
"We can really see the knock on effect of that, but that's why it's so important that we get in early and help those children to head them off at the past and make sure that school is a place where they are happy and can behave well and enjoy their studies."
She said the council's working closely with schools to keep children in learning spaces.
"At a primary level a lot of that comes down to helping children regulate their behaviours and supporting schools with that service because, without a doubt, it is better that children are at school than being excluded."
For pupils who are regularly away from the classroom, the council and schools have a CAFE (children away from education) service, where they'll assess each individual and see what can be done to improve the approach to helping that child's education.
Cllr Mayes is urging parents to work with the schools: "Every school wants every child to be there with them," she said.
"Exclusion or suspension is an absolute last resort, so being able to work with the school back up the school with what their plan is for that child and support them."