A REPORT investigating the death of Tashaûn Aird, 15, has recommended that the Department for Education (DfE) should review guidance around school exclusions.

This is to ensure safeguarding risks are sufficiently considered as part of the decision making process.

On May 1 2019, Tashaûn passed away after he was stabbed nine times in the chest, neck and back with a samurai sword and a zombie knife in an east London park.

His attackers mistakenly thought he was part of a rival gang.

A report commissioned by City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership found failings from many agencies involved in Tashaûn’s life.

Jim Gamble, independent child safeguarding commissioner said though local procedures were followed, there wasn’t enough understanding about the teen’s lived experience.

He added: “That is simply not good enough.”

It started with an exclusion

In July 2017, Tashaûn was excluded after he allegedly damaged a teacher’s property.

The young Tashaûn responded well to his temporary exclusion, but the school still decided to make it permanent.

Hackney Learning Trust raised concerns. School governors at Tashaûn’s school had a duty to reconsider, and they did. But ultimately, they upheld the permanent exclusion though it was found to be unlawful.

The report states: “It appeared that the school was determined to permanently exclude, without consideration of the wider implications to Tashaûn’s safety, wellbeing or education.”

First, he was placed in a Pupil Referral Unit and then an alternative education provider.

The teenager ended up in a class with pupils who had worse behavioural issues and complex needs. This included problems with gangs and crime.

Independent reviewer Charlie Spencer led the report into Tashaûn’s death. He described the exclusion as “a catalyst” which made Tashaûn’s behaviour worse.

He said the “decision exposed  [Tashaûn] to a new, more challenging environment that he realistically did not need.”

Police noted he was “going missing and local intelligence suggested he was being criminally exploited and possibly involved in county lines.”

The report also found “professionals had less influence on [Tashaûn’s] behaviour” after his permanent exclusion, a change in his behaviour was noted and this was likely to be a result of the “unstructured’ environment” at his new school.

Warning signs three months before

Three months before he was killed, Tashaûn was stabbed after a pupil referral unit teacher let him attend a youth club without supervision.

Following this, he told a social worker he that “he was afraid and feared for his safety.”

Tashaûn’s family also made numerous complaints to different agencies. They feel these concerns were not properly addressed.

If you would like to contribute to the teenager’s funeral costs, you can do so here.

Hackney New School, which Tashaûn was excluded from, has now been taken over by the Community Schools Trust.

Headteacher Charlotte Whelan said: “First and foremost, the death of Tashaûn is a great tragedy. My condolences and sympathies are with his family.

“I have been in contact with Tashaûn’s mother to offer my support. That offer remains open indefinitely.

“As a mother myself I can only imagine the relentless pain she must be suffering. If asked, I will do everything in my power to help her. 

“Because Tashaûn’s exclusion from this school took place prior to my becoming headteacher I cannot comment directly on the findings of the report.

“Indeed, none of the governance or leadership team who oversaw Tashaûn case are now at the school.

“Those leading Hackney New School now are highly experienced, highly skilled educators with a very strong background in pastoral support for students. 

“As Ofsted rightly noted at a monitoring visit just two months after I took over as headteacher we were able to quickly and effectively resolve safeguarding issues

“Had our highly experienced team been in charge when Tashaûn was at the school this case would have been handled adhering strictly to professional guidelines.”