Decision details

Debates are one of the most frequent items of business on the Plenary agenda. Many types of debate are brought forward in Plenary, including:

• Opposition party debates on a topic of their choice;

Other than in the case of Government debates, the time allocated for all other types of debates and their frequency are determined by the Business Committee

The item started at 15.03

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5302 William Graham (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the majority of children excluded or taught outside of a school setting have either special or additional learning needs, are boys, are entitled to free school meals, are looked after children, and often taught in a pupil referral unit;

2. Recognises the inconsistencies between local authorities regarding education outside the school setting;

3. Urges the Welsh Government to reduce the mandatory period in which local authorities are required to deliver education to excluded pupils; and

4. Calls for a cohesive strategy to be put in place for children who are taught outside the school setting, to monitor and improve their educational chances and outcomes.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
22	0	32	54

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

In point 1, insert after ‘looked after children,’:

‘are from deprived backgrounds, are from BAME communities, are in larger size schools or classrooms,’

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	28	55

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the lack of progress on helping children who have been excluded from school since the 2011 research report commissioned by the Welsh Government on experiences of illegal school exclusions in Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	28	55

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

Amendment 3 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes that:

a) the Welsh Government continues to ensure Local Authorities meet their current duties in relation to delivering education to excluded pupils; and

b) the Welsh Government will continue to focus on ensuring that policies and good practice are well implemented to ensure improved outcomes for children taught outside the school setting.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	28	55

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

In point 3, delete all after ‘pupils’ and insert:

‘and to report on the steps it is taking to help those children who are excluded or taught outside of a school setting to be reintegrated as soon as possible;’

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	28	55

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:

Calls on the Welsh Government to examine the extent to which teacher training courses equip teachers with the skills necessary to support students at risk of being excluded or taught outside of a school setting.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	28	55

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert at the end of point 4:

‘and for the Welsh Government to set out the steps it will take to implement the recommendations of the 2013 report on an evaluation of education provision for children and young people educated outside the school.’

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
54	0	0	54

Amendment 6 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5302 William Graham (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the majority of children excluded or taught outside of a school setting have either special or additional learning needs, are boys, are entitled to free school meals, are looked after children, and often taught in a pupil referral unit;

2. Recognises the inconsistencies between local authorities regarding education outside the school setting;

3. Urges the Welsh Government to reduce the mandatory period in which local authorities are required to deliver education to excluded pupils; and

4. Calls for a cohesive strategy to be put in place for children who are taught outside the school setting, to monitor and improve their educational chances and outcomes and for the Welsh Government to set out the steps it will take to implement the recommendations of the 2013 report on an evaluation of education provision for children and young people educated outside the school. .

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	28	55

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the motion as amended. Therefore, the motion as amended was not agreed.