The aims of the survey are: to identify key variables associated with school exclusions; to identify local authorities displaying a range of exclusion rates associated with key variables; to examine in depth the policies and practices of four local education authorities and three schools displaying a range of exclusion rates in each LEA; to explore the experience of a small number of excluded children, their parent(s)/guardian(s) and key actors in the process of exclusion; to inform the development of alternatives to exclusions, such as counselling programmes and support structures for schools. Type of Local Education Authority; rates of exclusion; socio-economic indicators for areas; educational indicators/circumstances for areas.