Parents complain over ‘excessive’ school suspensions

Parents have complained to authorities regarding “excessive” disciplinary measures at a school where the number of suspensions is running at three times the national average.

Latest figures show St Joseph's Secondary School in Drogheda, Co Louth, suspended pupils on 66 occasions during the 2016/2017 school year and expelled three students.

The expulsion rate at the 700-pupil Christian Brothers school is 10 times the national average.

Tusla, the child and family agency, has been engaging with the school this year following concerns over the extent of “forced absence punishments”.

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The school did not respond to media queries last week. However, principal David Madden told The Irish Times earlier this year the vast majority of suspensions related to violent behaviour and the board was informed each month of any suspensions.

Mr Madden stressed the school’s code on suspensions was put together in consultation with teachers and parents, along with educational and legal expertise.

‘Clowning’

However, a couple – who said their son received a five-day suspension for “clowning” with another student – expressed shock at learning of the move.

“We are good parents and try our very best for our children and we are strict at home... Our boy cried at least twice during the week he wasn’t at school and again and again and he asked us why.”

The parents of another boy, who also asked to remain anonymous, said he was suspended for “acting the jack” in class.

“The nature of the punishment was over the top. We were devastated for weeks after it,” the parents said.

Last resort

Officials from Tusla met with the school earlier this year to discuss the level of suspensions and expulsions and held a “restorative practices” information session.

Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster, who said she had been contacted by many parents, expressed concern that suspensions were still a "go-to" response rather than a measure of last resort.

“Of course, you need rules and regulation and measures should taken to tackle disruptive behaviour, but the statistics speak for themselves,” she said.