A newly formed education think-tank in Birmingham has welcomed the a DfES report that acknowledges the extent and devastating impact of exclusion on African Caribbean pupils and communities. 

The report, 'Getting it.  Getting it right' states that Black pupils are routinely punished more harshly, praised less and told off more often in English schools than other pupils.  Furthermore every year 1,000 black pupils are permanently excluded and nearly 30,000 given fix term exclusions.  The report further states that staff in many schools are 'unwittingly' racist, with black youngsters three times more likely than white to be expelled permanently.  

Commenting on the report, Paulette Wisdom of Visions of Esteem said, 'I welcome the report's acknowledgement of the need to confront the issue of exclusion of African Caribbean pupils especially in the secondary sector and its emphasis on Local Authority taking responsibility.  The link between secondary school pupils' exclusion and underachievement in post 16 outcomes, involvement in gangs, and the criminal justice system cannot be overstated'. 

Rosemary Campbell-Stevens of 2nd Principle said, 'there is a historic gap between rhetoric and action in the education service.  What is needed now is urgent action.  The report states that specific details of policy are still being considered by ministers, but young people, parents, community and black education professionals need to inform policy.' 

Responding to the report's citing of 'largely unwitting, but systematic, racial discrimination', and exclusion as an 'iconic' issue for the Black Community on a par with stop-and-search in the to criminal justice system, Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, of Partnership for Achievement said, 'I welcome the thrust of this report, reiterating as it does what Black communities have been saying for decades.  Additionally we are calling for three things: first, a policy of non-exclusion except in extreme cases, and then not without guaranteed provision for the pupil's continuing education.  Second, professional development at all levels of the education process including cultural literacy, an overhaul of the curriculum, and partnership with black parents and community.  Third, clear guidance to local authorities concerning their responsibility for exclusions under education policy and in regards to the Race Relations Amendment Act'. 

The Birmingham Education Think-Tank warns that unless immediate steps are taken to halt the current alarming levels of exclusion of African Caribbean pupils, denying them education, local authorities and the DfES are leaving themselves open to the future possibility of investigation by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, as has been the case with other public bodies.
.