Increasing the visibility of exclusion from school

This event focuses on school exclusion and relates to a collaboration between Dr Victoria Bamsey and Dr Liz Done from the University of Plymouth and from Dr Sarah Martin-Denham from Sunderland University.

The Department of Education (DfE) data shows on average, 2,999 children were suspended or permanently excluded from school each school day in England in the 2021/22 academic year. Inspired by this statistic Dr Sarah Martin-Denham and a group of parents in Sunderland created a crocheted blanket made up of 2,999 squares as part of a community creative arts project – Project 2,999: Increasing the visibility of exclusion from school. Each square has been handmade and donated by parents, grandparents, children, teachers, headteachers and crochet clubs – representing one of the 2,999 children impacted by suspension or permanent exclusion.

This event provides an opportunity to hear from Sarah and a group of parents about their lived experiences of school exclusion. This will be an interactive session that aims to raise the profile of school exclusion in England as we ask questions of our current educational system that is driving increasing numbers of children out of school.

Please book your place via the above link. Attendance is limited to 40 places and early booking is advised to secure your place. If you are no longer able to attend please contact victoria.bamsey@plymouth.ac.uk so that your place can be allocated to someone else. Victoria can also be contacted for any queries.