Influential supporters of a campaign for a knowledge-rich curriculum have defended the right of headteachers to exclude pupils.

An open letter from backers of Parents and Teachers for Excellence (PTE) follows growing concerns about levels of fixed-term and permanent exclusions. Signatories include teachers, heads and academy trust chief executives.

In February Cathryn Kirby, Ofsted’s regional director for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, highlighted high levels of fixed-term exclusions in the North and North East.

In March, the Department for Education announced a review led by former minister Edward Timpson to examine why some groups of children are more likely to be excluded than others.

In their letter, 41 PTE supporters, say: “We support in the strongest possible terms the right of heads to exclude pupils within the law when they deem it is necessary, and call on the government and others to reiterate their backing for this, too.

Legal exclusions ‘are necessary’

“Where there is clear evidence of illegality, we wholeheartedly condemn it, and support work to better understand the scale of any such practices. However, we call on everyone involved to approach investigation with care, clarity, and accuracy.”

They said it was “essential” not to conflate fixed-term exclusions with permanent ones, or legal exclusions with illegal practices, such as schools off-rolling pupils to boost their league table positions.

They add: “The law and guidance on exclusions is clear, robust and ensures a fair process for all concerned.

“Excluding a child from school is a last resort, and done with the interests of the pupil concerned, and others, at heart.

“To ignore poor behaviour in order to artificially reduce the number of exclusions would be illogical and unfair, and ultimately teachers and vulnerable pupils would suffer the most.”

Signatories include Martyn Oliver, the chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust.

Earlier this year, Mike Parker, director of Schools North East, said zero-tolerance behaviour policies at the trust had contributed to a rise in exclusions in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

The full list of signatories to the letter:

• Mark Lehain, director, Parents and Teachers for Excellence
• Dame Rachel de Souza, CEO, Inspiration Trust
• Sir Nick Weller, CEO, Dixons Academy Trust
• Tom Bennett, behaviour adviser
• Munira Mirza, former deputy mayor of London for education and culture
• Leora Cruddas, CEO, FASNA
• Ian Bauckham CBE
• Julia Kedwards OBE, CEO, Northampton Primary Academy Trust
• Michaela Khatib, head, Cobham Free School
• Claire Ward
• Mark Enser, teacher
• Barnaby Lenon
• Robert Peal, assistant headteacher, West London Free School
• Claire Heald, director of school Improvement, Inspiration Trust
• Tony Sewell CBE
• Janet Lehain, teacher, Bedford Free School
• Ben Newmark
• Emily Reynard, head of school, MEA Central
• Matt Hood, chief education officer, Institute for Teaching and Ambition School Leadership
• Jonathan Simons
• Jane Herron, head of school, Bedford Free School
• Lee Donaghy
• Ed Vainker
• Cassandra Young, head of school, Brenzett CE Primary School
• Luke Sparkes, executive principal, Dixons Academies
• Michael Merrick
• Samantha Baxter, principal, Elstow School
• Clare Sealy
• Tom Rees, education director, Northampton Primary Academy Trust
• Hywel Jones
• Tom Rees, education director, Northampton Primary Academy Trust
• Alex Wade, chairman of governors, Fulham Boys School
• Mark Rose, PTE advisory council member
• Oli Knight
• Natasha Porter
• Andrew Old, teacher and blogger
• John Blake, PTE advisory council member
• Adam Boxer, teacher
• Ros McMullen
• Martin Robinson
• Stuart Lock, executive principal, Advantage Schools
• Martyn Oliver, CEO, Outwood Grange Academies Trust