Latest stats show Enfield schools have third-lowest permanent exclusion rate in the capital

Enfield Civic Centre and (inset) cabinet member Gina Needs

A senior councillor has said “early identification and support” for children in need of additional help has led to the borough boasting among the lowest exclusion rates in London.

The latest Department for Education data show Enfield schools have the third-lowest permanent exclusion rate in the capital for the academic year 2022/23.

This success has also been put down to a “collaborative effort” between schools, the council and partner organisations in creating “inclusive and supportive” learning environments.

Nationally and regionally, there has been an increase in permanent exclusions in recent years, but Enfield’s performance bucks the trend, placing the borough sixth among all local authorities in England for the lowest permanent exclusion rate.

Notably, there were no permanent exclusions in Enfield’s primary schools during 2022/23, which the council says is the eighth consecutive year this has been the case.

Meanwhile, Enfield’s secondary schools have seen significant improvements, with stats showing an 86% decrease in the number of permanent exclusions in Enfield since 2017/18, from 57 to eight in 2022/23.

Gina Needs, the council’s cabinet member for community cohesion and enforcement, said: “The Department for Education’s data on permanent exclusion rates is a testament to the positive work being done in Enfield.

“Early identification and support for children who need additional help are crucial in preventing the drastic measure of permanent exclusion.”

Abdul Abdullahi, cabinet member for children’s services, added: “The low permanent exclusion rates in Enfield are a result of the effective collaboration between school-based support services who have helped to identify young people who require additional support and have fostered trusted relationships with schools and school leaders.”

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