The number of primary school children as young as five being expelled due to their behaviour is a "shocking indictment on society", say councillors.
Senior members of North Yorkshire Council yesterday (Tuesday) agreed to lower the age at which its three pupil referral units (PRU) would take children excluded from school from 11 to five.
The executive committee agreed to the change after hearing how permanent exclusions of primary school children had increased from five in 2021/22 to 25 pupils in 2024/25.
Councillor Mark Crane, executive member for open to business, agreed that the age range should be lowered.
But he added:
“I’m just shocked at the fact that we’ve had a fivefold increase in the number of children of that age range excluded from school.
“That should concern all of us — it’s unacceptable.
“If my child of that age was excluded from school, I’d be looking at myself first of all.
“I appreciate it’s the national trend and not just in North Yorkshire, but it really is a shocking indictment on parts of society that we’re facing this problem.”
Councillor Janet Sanderson, executive member for children and families, added:
“I’m really disappointed in the number of primary excluded children of that age that are coming in — for goodness sake, what are we doing?
“I’ve totally taken on board that it’s a national problem, and I know that the government is trying to address it, but you can’t go on like this without actually highlighting the problem we face.”
Members of the executive approved lowering the age limit at the council’s three RPUs — The Rubicon Centre in Selby, The Sunbeck Centre in Northallerton and The Craven Pupil Referral Service in Skipton.
The PRUs provide tailored support for excluded children and support them to return to mainstream education.
A placement at the PRU costs £19,810 a year per pupil, with the authority planning to create 30 new places.
A consultation was launched earlier this year by the authority seeking views from parents, carers, education professionals and the wider community on changing the age range of PRUs with the aim to improve support and outcomes for the excluded children.
Out of the 254 responses received during the consultation, which ran from September 22 to November 7, 79 per cent agreed when asked if making primary provision was needed.
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