Primary school that excluded up to 'thirty disabled children in a year' in a bid to become an academy has rejected calls from education chiefs to allow some of the children back

A primary school that excluded 'up to thirty disabled children' 'in a rush to become an academy' has rejected education chiefs' calls to rescind some of the expulsions.

Nonsuch Primary School in Woodgate Valley, Birmingham, has been accused of 'bullying, intimidation, secrecy and dishonesty' after children as young as four were kicked out.

There were 193 pupils at the school in a 2012 Osted inspection, meaning a staggering one in seven pupils were excluded in 12 months.

Tory councillor John Lines has claimed the 'unusually high' exclusion rate was part of a ploy to improve behaviour figures in a 'rush to become an academy'.

He also likened the situation to the Trojan Horse controversy, an alleged plot by hardline Muslims to Islamise schools in Birmingham.

Speaking today, the councillor who represents Bartley Green ward, said: 'To become an academy one needs to ensure the records of the school and behaviour are at a reasonable standard.

'So in the rush to become an academy it seems they excluded 30 pupils in around 12 months to get that status.'

Nonsuch Primary School became an academy at the start of the year, and the trust that now runs the school launched its own independent inquiry into the spate of expulsions.

But Mr Lines has demanded more action, having written to the Department of Education about the scandal calling for action over the 'appalling reports of discrimination of our very young, vulnerable citizens, some of whom are still without formal schooling'.

He has also held two public meetings in Birmingham where he said: 'The mood was anger and frustration coupled with the usual concerns.'

He added: 'When I originally wrote to the Department of Education, they said 30 pupils in 12 months was unusually high. But now they are going back on that.

'Their attitude seems to be complete denial, which is disgraceful. The headmistress, Jo Walkley, has been on "sick leave" for months.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3521577/Primary-school-excluded-thirty-disabled-children-year-bid-academy-rejected-calls-education-chiefs-allow-children-back.html#ixzz467HUMKVe
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