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This is a subject that is very close to my heart.
As a former NEETs co-ordinator, I taught gang-members, drug dealers and kids from social deprivation that shouldn't even be allowed in the UK.
Despite their colours, religions and genders, they had one thing in common.
They were all excluded from school at least once in their school career.
Like the Men In Black, my department was the first, last and only line of defence to stop their students falling into a life of crime, violence and bleak life chances.
We were the lifeline to gainful employment, education and a brighter future.
And we were damn good at our jobs too.
Many Alternative Provision centres did just that... until the Government's Austerity measures hit and many had to close down and the blood on the streets started to flow.
Pre COVID19, here are some depressing statistics about excluded children.
A 70% increase in UK exclusions in 2012/13 has been strongly linked to a 53% increase on knife-crime which didn't fall until the UK went into lockdown in March 2020.
The is a 'strong link' between excluded children and drug gangs - with many students being 'groomed' to become fledgeling drug dealers.
More than 50% of prisoners were excluded from school at least once.
And continuing on from our theme in the last twitterchat...
Almost half of the youth offenders currently in custody (47%) are from the BAME community. A shocking statistic when you consider that the BAME community makes up less than 10% of the UK population.
In this twitterchat, I will ask questions looking at the causes, dilemmas and possible solutions that affect our current exclusions crisis.
As always, this is not fluff. There will be some tough questions and some uncomfortable truths. Because of COVID19, our children are potentially facing the biggest mental health challenge of their lives.
We have to get it right.
But... a smooth sea doesn't make a skilled sailor. We are here to make a difference, not navel-gaze.
This is a chat that you don't want to miss.
On Sunday 19th July at 7 pm, find me using @actionheroteach & use #ActionHeroTeacher to get involved.
See you then!
Karl from actionheroteacher.com
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