'Get-tough policy reaps its rewards'

A MERSEYSIDE school that made national headlines in 2025 after suspending more than 200 pupils in just three weeks says it is now reaping the benefits of its new behaviour policy.

- By LIAM THORP ECHO Political Editor [e-mail] @LiamThorpECHO

The ECHO revealed in July last year that bosses at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy had brought in tough new disciplinary procedures to tackle some longstanding behaviour issues.

In just three weeks, a total of 202 children had been suspended.

Many of these suspensions resulted in pupils being sent home for the day.

The school said this would only happen after a pupil had repeatedly refused to follow a reasonable demand from staff.

Now, after the winter term ended, school bosses have pointed to data which shows how the strong approach to behaviour and discipline is working for both pupils and staff.

Andrew Dawson, CEO of Pope Francis Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the Whiston school, said: "The school has been on a positive journey for the last few years.