Reducing avoidable school exclusions: a panel exploring the strategic role of governors

Governors for Schools in partnership with Allen & Overy is running a series of panel events looking in-depth at the impact of school exclusion.

Over the past seven years, the number of children and young people permanently excluded from state schools has risen by 71%. Those who are vulnerable are disproportionately affected: excluded children are twice as likely to be Looked After Children, four times more likely to have grown up in poverty, seven times more likely to have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and 10 times more likely to have a mental health problem. Outcomes of excluded children are poor. Only 7% of children who were permanently excluded and 18% of children who received multiple fixed period exclusions went on to achieve good passes in English and maths GCSEs.

This first panel explores the impact of exclusions on the life chances of children and young people, strategies that can help to reduce avoidable exclusions, and the role of governors in creating change.

Panelists include:

• Jane Higgins, partner at Allen & Overy (chair)
• Edward Timpson MP, author of the 2019 Timpson Report into the use of exclusion in the English education system
• Jamie Rogers, former Headteacher, Head of Recruitment and Community at The Difference
• Jessica West, Headteacher at Ark Walwarth Academy, London
• Samira-Caterina Monteleone, student, member of UK Youth Parliament and advocate for better education and the reduction of youth violence