Pupil put in isolation booth for more than half a school year, BBC learns
Summary
A pupil at Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield was placed in an isolation booth for more than half of a school year as a method to manage behavior. The school uses isolation rooms, called reflection rooms, as part of a strict discipline policy aimed at improving student conduct after multiple warnings.Key Facts
- A student was isolated 58 times in one school year, each time usually lasting a full day.
- At least 23 students at Outwood Grange Academy spent over 20% of their school days in isolation in recent years.
- Isolation involves sitting alone in a booth separated by plastic dividers and monitored by cameras.
- Students in isolation were often given very little work, such as word searches or no meaningful tasks for long periods.
- The school trust changed rules in 2019 to provide more meaningful work during isolation after legal challenges.
- Students could be placed in isolation for minor behavior issues like untucked shirts, talking in class, or asking to use the toilet.
- The school claims reflection rooms have reduced the time students spend in isolation by half and help improve behavior.
- Government guidance says isolation should be a last resort, but many schools in England use it regularly to control behavior.
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