Space to Think: School Exclusions
A Space to Think brings together diverse groups of people, such as social and community activists, community organisers, third sector and civil society organisations, people who aren’t part of any formal group, and policy makers at Borough and London-wide levels, to discuss some of the burning topics and concerns that Londoners face.
In February 2019, High Trees supported Black Thrive in facilitating a discussion to look at key prevention areas to reduce the over representation of Black people in mental health services within Lambeth. A key concern which arose during this meeting was the issue of school exclusions. In June 2019, the Space to Think partners came together alongside Black Thrive to create a space to think more deeply about school exclusions and to explore what possible solutions could look like.
A key theme which emerged from this session was the lack of accountability taken by schools and others in positions of power (e.g. Ofsted, the Mayor) to address school exclusions. This is further exacerbated by structural racism which persists in education and beyond, as well as children with SEND being especially disadvantaged. Through exclusions, schools are seen as passing on the responsibility for their pupils.
A key theme which emerged from this session was the lack of accountability taken by schools and others in positions of power (e.g. Ofsted, the Mayor) to address school exclusions. This is further exacerbated by structural racism which persists in education and beyond, as well as children with SEND being especially disadvantaged. Through exclusions, schools are seen as passing on the responsibility for their pupils.
The video below highlights the conversations which took place…