This study examined the reasons behind exclusion from school, emphasizing the exclusion of students with special needs, ethnic minority children, and children looked after by local authorities. Data collection included interviews with local education authority (LEA) officers; interviews with teachers and administrators; and documents from the schools and LEAs. Overall, teachers appreciated recent Department for Education and Employment guidance but wanted more training and support in handling and minimizing exclusions. Teachers believed high levels of exclusion related to high levels of student mobility in some areas and to difficulties in accessing resources when excluded students were received from elsewhere. The quality of recordkeeping varied considerably between LEAs, influencing their ability to help schools address the needs of ethnic minority students. Interagency project to minimize exclusion were in their early stages. The needs of certain groups were overlooked in policies designed to minimize exclusion. Some principals increasingly used unofficial exclusions. Many principals reported using both fixed period and permanent exclusion in order to access support for special education. Secondary schools with low exclusion rates generally had alternative flexible curriculum arrangements for vulnerable students. Permanent exclusion was considered a failure on the part of inclusive schools. (SM)