Comment on exclusion figures

29 July 2010

Philip Parkin, general secretary of Voice: the union for education professionals, has commented on remarks made by schools minister Nick Gibb about the latest exclusion figures for England.

Nick Gibb said: "Despite the fall in exclusions, poor behaviour remains a significant problem in our schools. Tackling poor behaviour and raising academic standards are key priorities for the Coalition government.

"We trust teachers and that's why we have already announced a series of measures to put head teachers and teachers back in control of the classroom - including ending the rule requiring schools to give 24 hours written notice for detentions and increased search powers."

Philip Parkin said: "I think the minister seriously over-exaggerates when he talks about the new measures putting teachers and headteachers back in control of classrooms. Whilst we welcomed some of the changes announced recently*, they were relatively minor measures and do not add significantly to those put in place by the previous government.

"Any headteacher who uses their discretion and does not give parents 24 hours’ notice of detentions will need to think very carefully and be very sure of their ground before doing so."

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