School exclusion rate per 1,000 pupils - all children (c14) / looked after children (c15)

• This measures the number of exclusion cases in terms of (a) both primary and secondary school pupils and (b) looked after children.
• As pupils can be excluded more than once in a year, a single pupil may be counted more than once in the figures - for this reason this measures the number of cases of exclusion, not the number of pupils.
• For looked after children, figures are for the local authority responsible for the looked after child as looked after children may attend school in a different local authority to the one that is responsible for them.
• Data in respect of school exclusions is only published nationally every second year.

Why this matters

• Measuring this will show if interventions have reduced the number of children not in education.
• Research shows that lower levels of attendance can negatively impact a young person's participation, attainment, and future opportunities. Missing even 10% of schooling over a year can significantly affect academic performance. 

Latest performance

North Lanarkshire’s schools have seen a positive decrease in exclusion rates for both all children and looked after children over the period of the reported data.

All children

• The latest figures reflect the lowest rate for North Lanarkshire over the reported data (9.7 per 1,000 pupils) which is lower than both the national average (15.2) and comparative average for the group of similar councils (17.1).
• Over the period of The Plan for North Lanarkshire overall exclusion rates have improved by 72% from 35.1 per 1,000 pupils to 9.7.
• This is a significant improvement in North Lanarkshire compared to lower improvements over the same period in both the national average (43%) and the comparative average for the group of similar councils (42%).

Looked after children

• The latest figures reflect the lowest rate for North Lanarkshire over the reported data (26.7 per 1,000 pupils) which is lower than both the national average (96.9) and comparative average for the group of similar councils (100.2).
• Over the period of The Plan for North Lanarkshire exclusion rates for looked after children have improved by 92% from 317.9 per 1,000 pupils to 26.7.
• This is a significant improvement in North Lanarkshire compared to lower improvements over the same period in both the national average and the comparative average for the group of similar councils (both 54%).

The trend in school exclusions in North Lanarkshire is mirrored in the comparison with the exclusion rates in the group of similar councils for both all children and looked after children.  Although in both instances the trend in North Lanarkshire has improved from being above the national and comparative group averages to below the averages, a significant improvement.

Impact of delivering The Plan for North Lanarkshire

Good attendance fosters a strong sense of school connectedness, which is associated with better outcomes in attainment, wellbeing, and reduced involvement in offending behaviours. Regular attendance also serves as a protective factor for children experiencing adversity or trauma, supporting early intervention and positive development.

Reducing the number of children excluded from school which will have a positive impact on a child’s participation, attainment, and future opportunities.