To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many fixed period exclusions there were per pupil in 2005-06. (154279)

The readily available information is given in the table.

For the 2005-06 school year, information on fixed period exclusions was collected from secondary schools only. For the 2006-07 school year this coverage will extend to primary and special schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will abolish the right of appeal to local education authorities in respect of pupils who have been permanently excluded from school; how many permanent exclusions were overturned on appeal in each year since 1996-97; and if he will make a statement. (154530)

We have no plans to abolish independent exclusion appeal panels. We back head teachers' authority where pupils' behaviour warrants exclusion and have made it clear that, in cases where pupils are very disruptive or violent, appeal panels should not normally overturn head teachers' decisions. But we believe it is right that, in a matter as important as permanent exclusion from school, parents should have a right of appeal. Without that right there would be more court cases, with increased costs to all concerned. The information on the number of appeals determined in favour of the parent/pupil since 1996-97 is set out in the following table.