Patricia Ferguson has congratulated John Paul Academy in Summerston on reducing the number of exclusions from the school and called on the SNP Government to use good practice from the school to benefit other school children across Scotland.

Speaking in Parliament the Maryhill MSP recognised the 98 per cent reduction in exclusions that has occurred in the past 15 months and congratulated the headteacher, Vincent Docherty, staff and pupils on their achievements.  She went on to encourage the Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning to look for examples of good practice from the school to roll out more widely.

Patricia Ferguson said:

"The progress achieved by John Paul Academy in my constituency has been outstanding.  The 98 per cent reduction in exclusions is testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone in the school community - and this achievement has taken place alongside an improvement in exam results.

"John Paul Academy has made this progress by looking at new strategies to improve attendance, punctuality, behaviour and attainment, and has created a pupil support centre which allows those at risk of being expelled to address their behaviour while still learning.  I am sure that schools across Scotland could benefit from measures like this and would encourage the Scottish Government to look for examples of good practice from the school to roll out more widely."