Who are the children at risk?

Any child who is ‘different’ from others in the peer group is potentially vulnerable in terms of not being included. There are a number of groups who may be particularly at risk, including:

■ pupils belonging to minority ethnic and faith groups;

■ travellers and gypsies;

■ asylum seekers and refugees;

■ pupils who need support to learn English as an additional language (EAL);

■ pupils with special educational needs;

■ gifted and talented pupils;

■ children in public care;

■ children with medical conditions;

■ young carers;

■ children from families under stress;

■ pregnant schoolgirls (a very small number in primary schools);

■ pupils who are at risk of disaffection and exclusion.