More or Less: Behind the Stats Exclusions, black holes and dividing by zero
Sep 4, 2024
In this discussion with Kate Lamble, a reporter specializing in special educational needs in Wales, listeners dive deep into the increasing rates of school exclusions and the complexities surrounding them. Kate sheds light on the misconceptions about special educational needs in Welsh children, examining the financial strains these trends bring to schools. Additionally, the podcast investigates a projected £22 billion budget deficit for the UK government and questions surrounding the recruitment of Ghanaian nurses, all while exploring the perplexing idea of dividing by zero.
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Special Needs Identification in Wales
- Half of Welsh children born in 2002-2003 were identified with special educational needs at some point during their schooling.
- This high percentage is due to the system counting any identification of needs, even minor or temporary ones.
Misinterpretation of Exam Anxiety Statistics
- A survey of teachers found that nearly a third reported students withdrawing from GCSE exams due to anxiety.
- This doesn't mean a third of students withdrew, as teachers may have reported the same student multiple times.
School Exclusions in England
- Permanent school exclusions in England reached almost 9,500 in 2022-23, the highest since 2006.
- However, exclusion rates were higher in the late 1990s, and the current rise is partly due to post-pandemic recovery.