In September 2022 following a consultation period, the DfE updated its guidance on behaviour in schools. As part of the update, schools have been given additional guidance on removal from class. We want to be as transparent as we can about the use of lesson removal across our family of schools, and have collated the data below. As we look to enhance on our current reporting capability, we are also looking at what we can do in our schools to reduce the need for lesson removal.

Our key finding is that during the 22/23 academic year across the Ted Wragg Secondary schools, the lesson removal rate is 0.44%, meaning that children are in lessons 99.56% of their available lesson time. The lesson removal rate (by individual school) ranges from 0.12% to 0.89%. (Full breakdown across schools is listed below).

Why do schools use lesson removal?

Lesson removal is used as a last resort to ensure students are able to learn in a calm environment where students feel safe and secure. We want to ensure that:

• there is a culture of happiness, achievement, ambition and learning everywhere in the school, where students enjoy learning and no learning opportunity is missed;
• we provide clarity for students, staff and the community about expected behaviours;
• we encourage students to make positive choices and take responsibility for their own actions;
• we enable teachers to deliver engaging and creative lessons, experiment and take risks, without concern for behavioural interruptions as barriers.

Lesson removal is also used to ensure the safety and welfare of students and may be used under the following circumstances:

• safeguarding individuals from harm where risks identified;
• for serious one-off incidents when suspension isn’t appropriate;
• supporting students with reintegration back in to school.

What training is provided to teachers?

All teaching staff receive guidance and support on how to apply their school’s behaviour policy and use lesson removal. Staff are given opportunities to develop their practice and are supported to apply multiple reasonable adjustments every day to the behaviour policy to support students to remain in class wherever possible. Staff are supported by:

• regular coaching support for teaching staff;
• completion of behaviour management coaching module;

• ongoing professional development for all staff;
• creating an innovative range of in-class strategies to support students;
• a range of networks across the Trust that allow colleagues to share best practice.

How are you trying to reduce the use of lesson removal?

We are always looking at what we can do in our schools to reduce the need for lesson removal. To this end, all schools have invested significantly in supporting students and helping them make positive choices. Teachers will be applying multiple reasonable adjustments every day to the behaviour policy to support students remain in class and experience success. Schools have individual rewards policies that aim to capture the positive efforts seen every day from our students and provide positive reinforcement.

 

In addition, all schools have a plan to reduce suspendable behaviour focusing on:

• Detailed data analysis from staff to enable staff to understand and adapt current practice;
• Staff coaching to help improve classroom management of behaviour for learning;
• Helping establish routines and daily norms to support all students;
• Enhanced speech and language training for staff and support for students;
• Continued training for staff on building relationships with students;
• Explicit teaching of culture and behaviour expectations to help students make positive choices;
• Develop removal rooms further and ensure high quality relevant work is provided.

I have a question, who can I ask?

If you have any questions or concerns about the use of lesson removal you should contact your school who will be best placed to talk through your queries. If you are unsure who to reach out to then please contact us at info@tedwraggtrust.co.uk and we will share your query with the relevant school.