“It’s just misunderstood kids”. School exclusion, SEND and the reproduction of inequality

As young people from marginalised groups continue to be over-represented in the school exclusion statistics in England, this article explores the ways that school-excluded young people describe their experiences and the structural inequalities that school exclusion both represents and perpetuates. Drawing on interviews with young people who have experienced exclusion from school, this article highlights themes of individual blame and marginalisation. The relationship between SEND support and disciplinary systems is noted as a current challenge, leading to some young people being excluded for their behaviour before their needs related to their marginalised identities have been met. To conclude, more monitoring of who is being subjected to disciplinary sanctions in school is recommended, alongside a call for a more empathic approach to education.