SCHOOL bosses have strenuously denied claims Southend is one of the worst education providers for excluded pupils battling to secure their futures.

A national study by the Centre for Social Justice declared Southend was among five alternative education “cold spots”, claiming just two per cent of the town’s excluded pupils pass their maths and English GCSEs, compared with 70 per cent in mainstream education.

The figures showed just seven per cent of Southend students in alternative provision, which helps those who have struggled in mainstream education, were in schools rated “Good” or “Outstanding”.

Southend Council, however, stressed Victory Park Academy, in Wentworth Road had not received an Ofsted rating, and the YMCA Community School, in Ambleside Drive, had a Good rating, and that 40 per cent of excluded pupils attend the school.

The two schools are the only alternative provision schools in the borough.

Researchers at the Centre for Social Justice awarded points based on Ofsted rankings, exam results, outcomes such as holding down a job, apprenticeship or college place, and absence rates.

Anne Jones, Southend councillor for children and learning, said: “School inclusion is a passion and priority of the whole Southend school community.

“As a council we work hard with all schools including those run by academy trusts to reduce exclusion, and particularly the trusts which run the two alternative provision schools in the borough.

“Schools also participate in the borough wide Fair Access Panel and school inclusion is a regular topic for the independently chaired education board.

“Recognising the challenges of inclusion, the council has also led work with ISOS, a leading national organisation in this field, to develop a local action plan to be implemented.

“We would also agree that more national investment in this important area is needed and would be very welcome.”

The Victory Park Academy and YMCA Community School were contacted for comment.