Ammanford school stabbing: Knife exclusions ‘too simple’ – Estyn chief

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Drive, Mr Butler agreed there needed to be an understanding as to why a child would bring a knife to school, but said the approach could not be nuanced.

He described Mr Evans’ comments that exclusion shuts out pupils from society as “nonsense” and said exclusion was necessary to keep pupils and educators safe.

“If that child who has carried a knife into school is to stay there whilst the psychology professionals assess them, they continue to be a danger to other children in the school,” he said.

He said exclusion would not mean the end of education for the child, but rather the child could seek out education in a “more suitable setting” other than a mainstream school.

“It must be clear that is the outcome, that is the consequence of taking part in that criminal, dangerous behaviour of that school,” he said.

“It’s as simple as that really,” he said, adding “we have got to nip this in the bud, we must stop this now and that means clear exclusions for that kind of behaviour”.