Sandwell Council raises concern over rates of academy exclusions
Council bosses in Sandwell have contacted the regional schools commissioner over the number of exclusions at the borough's academies, it has been revealed.
A total of 105 pupils have been permanently excluded from academy schools in Sandwell over the last two years and children's bosses at the council have flagged up concerns.
Continuous disruption, drug and alcohol abuse and threats towards teachers and fellow pupils were among reasons troublemakers were banned from classrooms.
Sandwell Council said it had raised the number of exclusions with the West Midlands commissioner, who is part of the Department for Education works with underperforming schools.
Permanent exclusion is the most severe form of disciplinary action a school can take against a child.
Headteachers are advised only to use the measure as a last resort.
Information for 2014/15 released by Sandwell Council showed 44 children were excluded for 'persistent disruptive behaviour'.
Five children were removed for reasons relating to drugs and alcohol.
Two were excluded for verbal abuse or threats to staff and another four for threats to classmates.
Councillor Simon Hackett said: "Permanent exclusion should always be a last resort when all other avenues have been exhausted. We have brought the number of exclusions to the attention of the regional schools commissioner who will manage this with academies."
