Exclusion in schools in Northern Ireland: the pupils' voice

Abstract

The Department of Education in Northern Ireland has been reviewing the procedures for suspending and expelling pupils from school. This article reports the views of a random sample of 114 children (11–16 years) towards the proposed changes. Pupils’ thoughts on: dealing with misbehaviour; setting rules; the decision‐making process; appropriate exclusion periods; modes of supporting excluded pupils; ways in which behaviour can be improved; and involving parents in decisions are examined. The majority of children agreed with suspending a pupil for violent behaviour and felt that schoolwork should be sent home during the period of suspension. There was no consensus regarding who should be involved in the decision to suspend or expel a pupil, but most participants felt that an expelled pupil should be offered some form of alternative education provision. These and other issues are reported upon, interspersed with quotes made by the children.