Frequently asked questions about the school exclusion trial.

 
 Are academies expected to take part?

We are looking forward to academies taking part, and pleased that a number have already indicated that they will be do so. 

Back to top
 How do PRU Academies and AP Free Schools fit into the trial?

These new types of school will offer opportunities for people to start up specialised alternative settings, and for excellent PRUs to enjoy the same freedoms as academies. As they become established they will be able to extend the choices available to schools commissioning placements.

Back to top
 How does this fit with the government’s messages about headteachers being freed to exclude challenging pupils?

We are committed to giving schools the support they need to maintain good discipline. Under the trial system headteachers will still be able to exclude pupils where their behaviour warrants it.
 

Back to top
 How does this new approach fit in with the plans to give Pupil Referral Units delegated budgets?

We are currently consulting on a School Funding Review which will include the future funding of alternative provision, including Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). We will take account of the approach being used in the trial areas when developing the future arrangements for PRUs to be given delegated budgets. We have advised local authorities and PRUs that we intend PRUs to be given delegated budgets from April 2013 – subject to the passage of the current Education Bill.

Back to top
 How is the devolved budget for schools being calculated?

There are a number of different approaches that could be taken to devolving funding. Participating local authorities will decide the most appropriate arrangements in discussion with their schools.

Back to top
 How is the effectiveness of the new approach going to be measured?

There will be detailed evaluation conducted by an external contractor. The evaluation will take account of a range of data, questionnaires and personal interviews. It will pay particular attention to the impact on, and experiences of, groups of pupils vulnerable to exclusion. This includes those with special educational needs, some ethnic minority groups and children in receipt of free school meals.

Back to top
 How will schools manage the placement process when they’ve never done it before?

Local authorities will provide guidance and support to schools in assessing need and making placement decisions.
 

Back to top
 If there’s so much support for this approach, why aren’t you legislating for it now?

The idea of schools retaining responsibility for any pupil they exclude has attracted a lot of interest and support. But for many schools and local authorities, it represents a significant change. We need to take time to get the policy right before making changes to legislation.
 

Back to top
 Many PRUs are rated outstanding, and there are third party alternative provision organisations who are doing a great job. Isn’t there a risk this will force them out of the sector?

Effective providers should flourish in the trial, as schools use their new budgets to commission places with them. We expect the best providers to influence their peers. Providers who do not meet pupils’ requirements as effectively will find that schools are unlikely to use them, just as LAs are unlikely to use them under the current system.

Back to top
 Transport for these pupils is a major cost, is that budget being devolved too?

Individual local authorities and schools will make arrangements on this to best suit their local needs. There is no change to the total amount of funding available for transport in each area as a result of the trial.
 

Back to top
 What are you doing to ensure that schools don't discriminate against vulnerable pupils – like those with SEN and those from ethnic minority groups?

The system we are trialling will help schools tackle the underlying causes of poor behaviour for those pupils who are at risk of exclusion, by providing them with more resources which they can use to fund early interventions. The evaluation will pay particular attention to the outcomes of pupils who are vulnerable to exclusion and will look for examples of effective practice in reducing disproportionate exclusion.

Back to top
 What informed this new approach - did you consult schools and local authorities?

Yes. Practitioners and professionals have informed the approach from the start. They include the Department’s school and local authority reference groups; the Local Government Association; the National Association of Head Teachers; the Association of School and College Leaders; and the Independent Academies Association.

We have also sought the views of figures representing pupils with special educational needs and ethnic minority pupils, Pupil Referral Units and third sector alternative providers.

We know 10 local authorities who already operate successful systems similar to the approach being tested. Senior local authority figures from these areas and professionals drawn from alternative provision organisations act as a steering group to advise the Department on the trial.

Back to top
 What role will the voluntary sector play in the trial?

We hope and expect that the third sector will play a much greater role in future – either through expanding their existing service or by setting up new provision. The creation of alternative provision Free Schools should help with this.
 

Back to top
 Why have these particular local authorities been chosen?

The participating local authorities are all volunteers. They were selected on the basis of size, nature and geographical spread.
 

Back to top
 Why isn’t there any additional funding to support the new approach?

The system we are trialling is about using existing resources more effectively.  Schools will receive funding that has previously been used by LAs. Providing extra funding would distort the system we are looking to evaluate. However, allowing schools to commission early intervention measures from the funding allocated for excluded pupils has the potential to offer a significant increase in value for money. 

Back to top
 Won’t statemented pupils be at risk of being placed in less appropriate provision, if the local authority is stepping back?

The local authority’s duty to pupils with a statement of special educational needs is not changed by the trial. Where an exclusion becomes unavoidable for a child with a statement, the school would take responsibility for securing an alternative placement in the same way as for other children. However, this will need to be done in full co-operation with the parents and the local authority. This will ensure that parental rights about placements under the Education Act 1996 are maintained.

Local authorities will still play a key role in any decision about provision for these pupils. They will continue to be responsible for the maintenance of statements of special educational needs, and for arranging tribunals for children with special educational needs.

Back to top
 Won’t the new approach lead to an increase in unofficial exclusion?

Most schools take appropriate decisions about exclusions and we expect this to continue under the trial. The new system will provide further support for schools to tackle the behaviour of pupils at risk of exclusion. It will also encourage schools to work in partnership in the best interests of their pupils. We will be monitoring the impact of the trial system through a robust external evaluation.

Back to top
 You’ve only signed up seven local authorities since the trial was announced. Is this a large enough sample?

There are enough pupils in the seven local authorities for us to measure the potential benefit from the new approach. A further seven other local authorities, including London boroughs and large metropolitan councils, hope to join the trial during the preparation period leading up to April 2012.

Back to top