HC Deb 18 July 2000 vol 354 cc126-7W
Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what recent guidance his Department has issued on the exclusion of pupils at lunchtime; and if he will make a statement; [128125]

(2) if he will make it his policy to monitor the number of fixed-term lunchtime exclusions; and if he will make a statement. [128126]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 3 July 2000]: My Department's guidance, Circular 10/99 "Social inclusion: Pupil Support", issued in July 1999, makes it clear that lunchtime exclusions are fixed period exclusions and as such are governed by the exclusion provisions in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This statutory framework protects the rights of pupils, parents and headteachers.

We already collect data on all permanent and certain fixed period exclusions but collecting data on lunchtime exclusions would impose an unjustified additional burden on schools.