Number of children suspended from North Yorkshire schools last year revealedHuge increase in school absences in North YorkshireConcern as school suspensions rise by 40% in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Concerns have been raised after the number of children suspended in Harrogate and Knaresborough schools rose by more than 40% in the last year.

Figures recently published by North Yorkshire Council revealed there were 459 suspensions in 2022/23 — a rise from 314 in the previous year.

The most common reason for suspensions was “persistent disruptive behaviour”, according to a report.

The chief inspector of Ofsted has said that behaviour in schools has deteriorated since the covid pandemic, with some pupils refusing to comply with rules, talking back to teachers and walking out of class mid-lesson.

The topic was raised at a meeting of local councillors in Harrogate on Thursday.

Cllr Paul Haslam, an independent representing Bilton and Nidd Gorge, said he was “concerned” at the level of suspensions in the area.

He said:

“What we’ve got is a symptom and not a cause. I’m keen to understand the causes of suspensions. I do not underestimate the commitment of teachers.

“As a past school governor and trustee, I know how hard they work but how can we best support them? Can we catch [poor behaviour] at primary school so it doesn’t happen in secondary school?”

Last week, youth education charity Impetus published research that found children suspended from school see their exam results suffer.

It suggested some children were found to be lagging a year behind their peers with some unable to achieve a standard pass in GCSE maths and English.

 

Amanda Newbold, assistant director for education and skills at North Yorkshire Council, responded to Cllr Haslam and said the rise in suspensions reflected a national trend.

She also said the figures were “linked disproportionately” to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Ms Newbold said:

“What we’ve seen is an increase in suspensions and exclusions across the county. Those numbers have risen over the last few years. We can link it back to wider issues in families rather than school-specific issues.

“We’ve focused on all things inclusion this academic year and are offering support around suspension and exclusions. We’ve had headteacher workshops to make sure we can do as much preventative work as possible but it will take time to see outcomes.”

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Knaresborough care home nurse suspended for lying about patient’s care

A woman working at a Knaresborough care home has been suspended from nursing for 12 months after lying to colleagues, police and at an inquest about the care of one of her patients.

Susan Nyakwangwa was caring for the patient at Thistle Hill Care Home in Knaresborough on February 26, 2016 when the patient’s health deteriorated, they were later admitted to hospital with pneumonia and died two days later.

Ms Nyakwngwa went before the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) last week in a fitness to practise hearing, suspected of misconduct.

The hearing was told that she had failed to manage the patient’s deterioration appropriately, particularly over the time it took to contact Beech House GP Surgery.

Ms Nyakwangwa told two colleagues she had telephoned the surgery before 1pm, but at the hearing it was found she had not.

During an investigation for criminal neglect, which the police later dropped, in September 2016 Ms Nyakwangwa told officers she had called the surgery between 11am and before lunch.

She repeated this whilst giving oral evidence under oath at the Inquest into the death of the patient.

But it was found that Ms Nyakwangwa did not call the GP surgery until later in the afternoon, the first outgoing call to the practice was made at 14:04pm.

The panel found the registered nurse, with a 42-year career, to be dishonest and said her actions “fell far below the standards expected of a registered nurse”.

The hearing report spoke of case presenter, Alastair Kennedy:

“Mr Kennedy submitted that there is nothing to suggest that you appreciate the affect your actions had on the public, colleagues and the trust placed in the nursing profession.

“Mr Kennedy invited the panel to find that your fitness to practise as a registered nurse is currently impaired.”

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Ms Nyakwangwa was represented by Briony Molyneux who argued it had been a “single act of dishonesty” and the “only blip” in a long-standing nursing career.

She added:

“No harm was caused to Patient A as a result of your dishonest conduct, your actions were not pre-meditated and there was no sophisticated attempt to cover up your dishonesty.”

A statement from Thistle Hill said:

“At Thistle Hill care home the safety and wellbeing of our residents is of the utmost importance. The case in 2016 was an isolated incident involving a temporary member of staff and we took all immediate and appropriate action. We fully respect the decision made by the NMC and offer no further comment at this time.”

Ms Nyakwangwa has not worked recently due to personal health reasons.

The suspension period comes begins this month, at the end of the 12 months another panel will review the order.