School exclusions: 'Rocketing' Calderdale school exclusions for reasons ranging from violence to wrong colour socks raise concern

A report before the children’s scrutiny panel said that the number of children permanently excluded from their school has almost trebled in four years.

In 2019-20, 34 children were excluded, rising to 41 on 2020-21, jumping to 78 in 2021-22 and a further leap to 98 in 2022-23.

Concerned councillors and lay members had asked for the report which concluded it was “a major cause of concern”, with the borough an outlier compared to neighbouring areas.

A number of the exclusions were for offences including violence against staff or students – but one case, described as “ludicrous”, concerned a pupil excluded for wearing the wrong colour socks, they heard.

Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson (Lab, Sowerby Bridge), said numbers worsened after the pandemic, reflecting a national situation.

“If you think about all the disruption to the lives of children and lack of routine that they had and support they are used to, it’s probably no surprise there has been an increase in mental health problems and behaviour issues,” he said.