PARENTS are invited to play their part next week in reducing the number of pupils being sent home from school.

Education bosses, who investigated Bury's controversial high school admissions policy, will now look at school exclusions.

Members of the council's lifelong learning scrutiny and review panel will inspect the way that permanent and fixed-term exclusions are dealth with and find out whether changes are needed to the system.

The panel meets on Wednesday (Jan 24) beginning at 6pm in the council chamber at Bury Town Hall. It will take evidence from senior councillors and education officers, but also invites comments from head teachers and members of the public. There will also be an open session for parents to raise their concerns.

Councillor Tim Chamberlain, panel chairman, said: "We want to take a long hard look at exclusions. Over the past five years there has been a downward trend in permanent exclusions. However, as a result of changes, especially in guidance from the DfEE, we have seen a large increase in the number of fixed term exclusions.

"The behaviour of the majority of our 29,000 pupils can only be praised. Schools are orderly places where teaching and learning take place in an effective environment.

"When exclusions are deemed necessary, they place high demands on staff and divert vital resources away from other areas of work. It is therefore in everyone's interest to make sure that we get the balance right.

"I hope all those who have a point of view come to the meeting next week and have their say."