Timpson review | Schools Week

‘Expulsions’ expelled: Critics persuade DfE to U-turn on exclusions lingo

The Department for Education is ditching its use of the “dated” word “expulsions” to describe permanent exclusions, after concerns were raised that it harked back to the era of corporal punishment. However, the government will continue to refer to fixed-term exclusions as “suspensions”, despite worries that the word “trivialises” the action. Ministers switched to using […]

Timpson two years on: Exclusions review chair wants action

The author of a landmark exclusions review has secured a crunch meeting with ministers to kick them into action over promised reforms. This week marks the two-year anniversary of Edward Timpson’s review, but the government has implemented just six of its 30 recommendations. No action has been taken on 12. What I want to really […]

Zero-tolerance schools should be ‘unreservedly celebrated’, says MP

A teacher-turned-MP said schools with zero-tolerance behaviour policies should be “unreservedly celebrated” for ensuring staff aren’t “treated as punch bags”. In a Westminster Hall debate on exclusions yesterday, Jonathan Gullis, the Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, dismissed concerns schools were on a “exclusions spree”. If we do not have zero-tolerance policies or exclusions, where is […]

Turnaround school leaders must be able to exclude to keep pupils safe

There is much to admire about Edward Timpson’s review of school exclusions, starting with his clear statement that schools must be calm and safe places, with strong behaviour cultures. Every parent wants their child to go to a school that is safe and where learning can take place in an orderly environment. Parents should not […]

Timpson review to demand excluded pupils count in schools’ results

A landmark review of exclusions will demand the government revives plans to make schools retain responsibility for the results of pupils they exclude. Leaked documents show that the Timpson review will call for a “significant shift” for schools, alternative provision settings and councils, demanding that ministers “remove the potential” for heads to game the system […]