There were almost 150 school exclusions in Bolton as a result of coronavirus rule breaches last academic year.

Data from the department for education has found that breaches of Covid rules accounted for 146 exclusions form Bolton’s schools in the 2020-21 school year, one of which was a permanent exclusion.

Examples of breaching the rules include incidents such as non-compliance with social distancing, causing distress such as by purposefully coughing near to others, or any other deliberate breach of a school's public health measures.

Of the 146, 129 were in secondary schools, five were in primary schools and 12 in special schools.

There were a total of 2,944 exclusions in the borough in that time period, which means that nearly five per cent were as a result of Covid breaches.

This is a higher percentage compared to Bolton’s neighbours. There were 16 Covid-breach exclusions in Salford out of a total of 1,555 exclusions – one per cent – and in Bury there were 22 out of a total of 1,310 exclusions – 1.7 per cent.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Our schools remained open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering continuous classroom learning to the most vulnerable pupils and the children of frontline workers.

“Clear and robust Covid measures were in place throughout, and teachers, staff and pupils have a right to feel safe in the school environment.

“There were 145 cases where deliberate breaching of public health measures is listed as one of the reasons contributing to a pupil being given a temporary suspension. This equates to 4.27 per cent of all suspensions which is below the North West average.

“Permanent exclusions and suspensions are only ever used as a last resort. As part of our Belonging in Bolton strategy we work with all our schools to support them to be as inclusive as possible.”

READ: Bolton School reintroduces masks and other measures after rise in Covid cases

Figures for the most recent academic year include a period in spring 2021 when Covid-19 restrictions meant that only key workers and vulnerable children were attending school in person, with others being educated remotely.

The government has been criticised for a lack of clear guidance, with Labour saying that their measures have threatened children’s futures, having contributed to nearly 13,000 exclusions nationally.

 

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