In this episode of Between Two Psychs, Adam McCartney and Mike Lane take on one of the most debated areas in education: School Exclusions. Moving beyond headlines and assumptions, they explore what the data really shows, why so many young people reach crisis point, and crucially how schools can intervene earlier, more compassionately, and more effectively.
Drawing on casework, psychological models and years of school-based practice, Adam and Mike unpack how factors like identity, belonging, trust, developmental stage and social context intersect with behaviour and why the story of exclusions is rarely just about “poor choices.”
From the challenges of transition in Year 7 to the pressures of adolescence, resource limitations, and the complexities of trust and relationships in secondary settings, this conversation brings together data, humanity, and practical insight. It reminds us that when schools create predictable, relational, inclusive environments, young people are more able to engage, participate, and thrive.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨The data behind exclusions and what changed after 2014 and again post-pandemic
✨Why secondary pupils are far more likely to be excluded than primary pupils
✨ How identity development in adolescence can impact behaviour, belonging, and wellbeing
✨Why transitions and unpredictability can fuel anxiety, avoidance, and disruption
✨The role of acceptance, competency and peer approval in shaping behaviour
✨How social communication needs (e.g., autism, ADHD) interact with expectations in secondary school
✨Why exclusion is often linked to trust, self-worth, and unmet emotional needs
✨How socioeconomic factors and wider community contexts affect exclusion rates
✨The power of consistent relationships and predictability at Key Stage 3