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Schools ban 4,000 unruly under-fives
Tim Ross, Education Correspondent6 Nov 2008
MORE than 4,000 children aged five and under were thrown out of school for bad behaviour last year.
Hundreds of three- and four year-olds were suspended from schools for attacking their classmates and teachers, according to government figures.
Some 320 under-11s were excluded for "sexual misconduct", drug or alcohol related offences.
The Conservatives described the figures as "shocking" while teachers blamed violent video games and television for the problem.
Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: "Ministers have eroded teachers' ability to keep order by restricting their powers to deal with disruptive and violent children.
"We want to restore the authority of teachers to ensure a safe and secure environment for children of all ages to learn in. The number of young children being suspended from school is shocking."
John Bangs, from the National Union of Teachers, said a small number of children were starting nursery without having been "socialised" at all by their parents.
"They pick up like blotting paper the awfulness of some cable television and computer games and reflect that at nursery," he said.
"Teachers report there are some children who are extremely difficult to cope with.
"These figures indicate the nature of some aspects of society and the awful circumstances that these kids come from. It is very worrying." During the 2006-07 school year, 45,740 pupils in England were suspended from state primary and nursery schools. One in 10 was aged five or under.
Nearly 18,000 children were excluded for a fixed period for violence against other pupils and teachers.
The Government said violence in the classroom was unacceptable but stressed that behaviour was good "most of the time".
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "Of course heads have the power to permanently exclude pupils where necessary but we are also helping schools to turn around poor behaviour before it reaches this stage.
"Violence in the classroom, at any age, is not acceptable and teachers have the power to take appropriate action against young children involved in such acts - and these figures show that they are doing that."
Reader views (11)
Parent(s), (if they're lucky enough to still have two?)are no longer allowed to discipline the poor little mites so this comes as no surprise.
If you think this is cause for concern,wait until they reach their teens.
We aint seen nothing yet.
- Steve, London, 07/11/2008 09:42
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Teachers need to look at how they manage behaviour in the class room. There needs to be enough staff on hand to deal with children who have never been given boundaries, it takes time for a child to understand the rules in school, so many are excluded within those first couple of weeks in reception. I do not agree with reception or nursery children being excluded there should be co operation with parents to ensure that placements do not break down at this young age. Integration of children with special needs should not be at any cost either; children should be appropriately placed in an environment that can meet their learning needs. I have known children that have been excluded to have special needs and not behavioural problems, had the child been placed in an appropriate placement from the start they would never have been excluded.
- Sally, middlesex, 06/11/2008 22:11
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This is the general decline in the society. Everything is just going down, down, down. Do not spare the rod and spoil the child.
Can one imagine children under five being suspended from class?
What sort of homes fo these children come from? Today's tiny terrors are tomorrow's adult horrors.
- Venele, LONDON, 06/11/2008 21:16
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What is the matter with parents these days. They have no control. Just look at them in restaurants and coffee shops - uncontrollable nightmares. Why should be have to put up with them! Send the parents to parenting classes.
- Charlie, London, 06/11/2008 20:22
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"Welcome to the society created by labour, one with no discipline or common sense!"
No, Brandon - labour creates production therefore creates wealth, which benefits the nation. Society has always existed and wasn't really created by anyone. In fact, it is everyone
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 06/11/2008 19:45
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In response to Ms. Bradshaw's query, "how "violent" can a child under the age of 5 be?" I would suggest that incredibly so goes someway to providing an answer.... under fives are shorter than their teachers but they (the pupils!) have sharp teeth which easily sink into the skin of whichever adult/child they choose to bite, can deliver a pretty sharp kick, are capable of yelling obscenities, can throw chairs, attack with scissors, pinch/punch and plenty more.
Unfortunately a fixed-term exclusion is often the only means by which a school can a) offer some respite to the pupils and staff who've been unfortunate enough to witness or be injured in the course of a child's violence, b) provide evidence of a child's need for outreach support/behaviour intervention provided by an external agency or c) get Social Services to accept and act upon a referral.
Too many children joining our schools don't arrive already equipped with the verbal and emotional skills to express frustration appropriately and they are bound to struggle. Others will have never/rarely experienced anything like the boundaries and structure of a school setting so will react in the only way they know how - by having a tantrum. Lots of these children and their parents/carers will benefit from explicit teaching of behaviour management strategies and play skills but, all too often, those families who need it most are those who are unable, for whatever reason to take advantage of this support.
- A Teacher, London, UK., 06/11/2008 18:53
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The problem is that you're not allowed to pick them up and put them in a drawer - more's the pity.
I have a five year old nephew with behavioural problems and believe me when he wants to throw something at you he hurls it with all his might - right at your head. Just to get attention. Imagine him doing that to other 5 year olds in a classroom or at breaktime and the teacher has no choice but to get rid of the one problem child for the safety of the rest of the children.
Fortunately in my nephew's case he has been taken away from his negligent mother and is already showing vast signs of improvement because he just needed some guidelines and clear discipline in his life. That's what all these kids need. I agree with Marianne - the problem lies soley with the parents.
- Isabel, woking, 06/11/2008 16:57
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Welcome to the society created by labour, one with no discipline or common sense!
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 06/11/2008 15:36
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I'm sorry but how "violent" can a child under the age of 5 be? They are quite small, after all, and unless the teacher were vertically challenged themselves (I use that term as otherwise I'm sure I will be castigated from on high by readers objecting to the phrase which springs to mind) I can't see why they can't just pick them up and shut them in the nearest drawer.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 06/11/2008 15:26
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At that age the problem lies categorically with the parents. More personal attention and less TV please!
- Marianne, SW France, 06/11/2008 15:12
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Would some one please provide a breakdown on how many of these children are from 1.) Single parent households, 2) Two parent households where both are working and 3) Two Parent households where only one is working? And could we have a breakdown of ethnicity etc. Why do I ask? Well because in London Police records apparently indicate that most problematic knife carrying crimes are caused by children from single parent families and that there is a significant number from the black Afro-Caribbean community. To solve a problem you must first clearly define it!
- Joe, London, UK, 06/11/2008 14:53
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