North Yorkshire Council has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to how primary-aged children who have been permanently excluded from school may be taught in the future.
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the number of children of primary age that have been excluded from schools in North Yorkshire.
Permanent exclusions of primary school children have increased from five children in 2021/22 to 25 pupils in 2024/25.
The consultation seeks views from parents, carers, education professionals and the wider community on potential new approaches that aim to improve support and outcomes for the excluded children.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:
We want to ensure that we provide the very best support we can to all pupils in North Yorkshire, and we are keen to glean the views from as many people as possible.
We have seen increasing numbers of primary aged children who have been excluded from school, so we are having to look carefully at potential new approaches.
The proposal being consulted on is to extend the age range of already existing pupil referral units and academy alternative provision that they can cater for children of primary age.
This proposal would offer small class sizes and tailored support to meet the needs of each child and help them re-engage with learning in a supportive environment.
Cllr Les added:
Councils have legal duties to arrange suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils within six days of their exclusion.
I would encourage parents, carers and schools to share their feedback and help shape the future of alternative education provision in the county.
The consultation will run from until Sunday, November 9. The survey should not take longer than five minutes to complete and is available at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/appe
Paper copies can be requested by e-mailing BusinessSupport@northyorks.gov.uk
