Stalking and sex threats among pupil exclusions

PUPILS have been excluded from Edinburgh schools for stalking and threatening sex attacks against their teachers, it was revealed today.

The shocking cases were among 1400 exclusions, mainly in the city's secondary schools, detailed to the Evening News.

There were also two instances of pupils being excluded for "slander and libel against staff", which included comments made on social networking websites.

The highest number of exclusions - 505 - were for general or persistent disobedience, closely followed by 486 for the verbal abuse of staff.

The figures were today branded "very worrying" as city chiefs insisted that they were taking a hard line on extreme behaviour.

Today's figures show that the vast majority of exclusions were only temporary when pupils are sent home, usually for a few days. Only 21 pupils were expelled permanently.

Although overall the number of temporary exclusions is on the decline, the EIS teaching union said it had concerns about the figure rising again.

Edinburgh secretary Colin Mackay said: "The fact that the number of exclusions is down slightly fills me with some dread about the forthcoming year, with the support for learning and behaviour management areas of schools subjected to budget cuts. I wouldn't be surprised to see the figure increase next year."

The figures also revealed that a total of 448 exclusions were made for the physical assault of a pupil or member of staff.

Mr Mackay added: "One of the areas which we have been concerned with has been the number of violent incidents being reported. If these numbers are getting into double figures, they are a serious cause of concern."

Sarah Boyack, Labour MSP for Edinburgh Central, said the cases may well be the tip of the iceberg.

She said: "The figures are very worrying because it's still a large number of incidents and the council needs to re-double its efforts to reduce the number of exclusions and tackle the root causes.

"One issue that is clearly out there now is the issue of social media networks. I do hope that the council looks at these newer types of reasons for disciplining students and targets them before the number of incidents grow."

The figures also revealed two cases of exclusion for threatening sexual violence against a pupil and two against members of staff. One pupil was excluded for stalking a pupil, while another was excluded for stalking a staff member. Three pupils were excluded for indecent exposure.

Labour's city education spokesman, Meadows and Morningside councillor Paul Godzik, said: "It's shocking that this is happening within our schools and it's clear there does need to be strong discipline. Certainly when you have threats of sexual violence and stalking, you would hope that the very toughest measures are taken."

Cllr Marilyne MacLaren, Edinburgh's education leader, said: "Exclusions and suspensions are always a last resort and our policy is to work to find alternatives. However, it is important that we get the message across that certain behaviour is not tolerated in our schools and strong action is sometimes needed."