Executive Principal Carl Wakefield has disputed claims made at an Essex County Council meeting that schools are expelling more pupils "to suit their own ends".

Speaking last Tuesday, Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Mackrory claimed academies are permanently excluding disruptive students because they "don't want them on their books anymore".

Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Life-Long Learning and Employability, said: "I have heard the same thing anecdotally around schools excluding pupils at certain times to suit own ends."

According to council data, permanent exclusions in Essex went up from 50 to 161 between 2014 and 2020.

However, Mr Wakefield feels exclusions should only be used 'as a last resort' when every other avenue has been 'exhausted'.

He said: "It will only ever be used in the most extreme of incidents and when it is no longer conducive to other stakeholders, or indeed safe, to have the pupil in the academy anymore.

"After being a whole school leader for 13 years across five different areas of the country, never have I acted in the manner highlighted by the County Councillor with regards to permanent exclusion.

"The decision to permanently exclude a pupil from Plume Academy will never be one that is taken lightly and without lengthy consideration of all the facts relating to the case in question.

"It is always with strict reference to the appropriate legislation, as well as the individual student's bespoke educational needs and circumstances.

"Along with the moral integrity with which I believe my fellow school leaders and I approach this matter, there is also robust legislation and due diligence to adhere to prior to a permanent exclusion being ratified."

Plume Academy currently educates more than 1,700 students across its two campuses.