PRIMARY EXCLUSIONS - EVIDENCE FOR ACTION

This short report presents the interim findings of an ESRC-supported s tudy of primary school exclusions. The research to date has involved a questionnaire survey of LEAs nationally and in-depth case studies, in volving schools, parents/carers and children, in two contrasting LEAs. It is first argued that the exclusion from mainstream education of ve ry young children is, in itself, a cause for alarm. Evidence is then p resented of rising numbers of exclusions, as well as high levels of un met educational and/or social need in the majority of cases studied. I t is concluded that urgent government action to support children, many of whom were found to be 'in need', is not only required under the Ch ildren Act 1989, but would actually prove more cost-effective.