A project to cut the number of problem pupils being barred from class will start at four city schools next term.
It will see staff from outside agencies brought in to work alongside teachers at Baldragon Academy, Braeview Academy, Craigie High School and St Paul’s RC Academy.
In some cases support will even be provided to pupils and their families outside school hours. The aims will be to tackle bad behaviour, get pupils to attend school more often and give them a better chance of passing exams.
The rate of exclusions at Dundee schools has tended to be well above the Scottish average in recent years. More than 1,800 incidents involving over 800 pupils were recorded in 2010/11.
City council education director Michael Wood has acknowledged that simply keeping children away from class is not a long-term solution.
He said: “A sizeable number of young people become excluded from mainstream education, fall behind in their learning or fail to achieve their potential in terms of educational attainment.
“Many studies have shown the linkage between school exclusion and negative life chances in areas such as employment opportunities and criminal justice.”
This is where the new project is meant to come in.
It will last for two years and will be fully funded by the Robertson Trust, a grant-giving body which controls the Edrington whisky group that owns brands such as The Famous Grouse and Highland Park.
Workers from three agencies Apex Scotland, Skillforce and Includem will take part under the banner of Inclusion Plus. They will try to help the pupils see why their behaviour is unacceptable and what the consequences could be for their future if they do not mend their ways.
Education convener Stewart Hunter said: “Even though exclusion has only ever been used as an option of last resort in managing disruptive behaviour, we feel it is important to introduce further options to support schools in this challenging area.
“Through the Inclusion Plus consortium we would be able to assist young people to focus on better outcomes rather than face the prospect of further exclusion.
“Pupils would be helped to address their behaviour, realise the negative impact that it has on them and then move forward to gain better chances for themselves.”
If councillors approve the project next week it will be launched in October.
The education department is also proposing to spend £500,000 a year to employ 17 family development workers at nurseries and primary schools. Their job will be to provide an early intervention service for children and families from deprived areas who are having problems.