Less school exclusions expected in Aberdeen following policy change

Aberdeen City Council today (Thursday 26 November) approved a refreshed policy to help minimise the number of exclusions of pupils from local schools

The updated policy which was approved by the Education Operational Delivery Committee follows a review of the existing document and takes immediate effect.

The policy reflects Scottish statistics which reveal that children and young people who have disabilities, come from deprived areas, have additional support needs, are looked after are more likely to be excluded.

In Aberdeen, there has been a steady reduction of exclusions across Primary and Secondary schools, but the figures remain higher than the authority would like.

The refreshed policy will help support the positive and proactive planning and understanding required for children and young people who are at risk of exclusion, highlighting the need to meet the needs of children and young people with disabilities, additional support needs and those who are looked after.

Committee Convener, Councillor John Wheeler, said: “Our new policy reflects our aim to eradicate impediments to academic achievement and ensure that all our children and young people are further supported to overcome disadvantage and receive the best possible starts in life regardless of circumstance.”

The new policy takes into account children and young people’s legislation and other associated legislation as well as Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).