Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND

1st October 2018 19/09/2018 17:45-19:00

The rise in the number of school exclusions is very much at the forefront of the education debate and is a central area of concern.

Statistics show that some vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are over-represented in these exclusions. Pupils with identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), too often the marginalised and forgotten group, account for almost half of these exclusions.

Pupils eligible for FSM are around 4 times more likely to be excluded. Gypsy/Roma and Traveller of Irish Heritage ethnic groups and Black Caribbean pupils are also disproportionately represented.

Recent evidence also shows that the total number of children in alternative provision substantially exceeds the number of those who have been permanently excluded, indicating a growing problem of unofficial exclusion. The Department for Education have since announced a much-welcome external review on the practices of school exclusions. So, what can be done to reduce all forms of exclusions?

How can we ensure that the most disadvantaged and the most vulnerable, including those with SEND, are receiving the best possible support from our education system?

Members of the panel at this event include Nadhim Zahawi MP (Minister for Children and Families), Rt Hon. Robert Halfon MP (Chair, Education Select Committee), Dr Mary Bousted (NEU), Kiran Gill (The Difference), Brian Lamb (Achievement for All) and Natalie Perera (Education Policy Institute). The panel will be chaired by the Professor Sonia Blandford (Achievement for All). 

The Education Policy Institute and Achievement for All invite you to discuss these issues at a fringe discussion at Conservative Party Conference. We very much hope you will be able to join us.

This event will be held in the Secure Zone. It is an open fringe event but a conference pass will be required to access the venue.

For more information please contact conference@epi.org.uk.

SPEAKERS
Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND
Nadhim Zahawi MP
Minister for Children and Families
Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND
Rt Hon. Robert Halfon MP
Chair, Education Select Committee
Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND
Professor Sonia Blandford (Chair)
CEO, Achievement for All
Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND
Dr Mary Bousted
Joint General Secretary, National Education Union
Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND
Kiran Gill
Founder, The Difference
Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND
Brian Lamb OBE
Chair of the Trustees, Achievement for All and SEND Adviser
Conservative Party Conference 2018: Missing School and Missing Out: Reducing All Exclusions and Closing the Gap for SEND
Natalie Perera
Executive Director and Head of Research, Education Policy Institute
Event Partners