There has been a record surge in the number of pupil suspensions and permanent exclusions from schools, according to the Department for Education (DfE) raising concerns over the level of support available to children.
This translates into a suspension rate of 3.13, equivalent to 313 suspensions for every 10,000 pupils. The rate for the previous spring term, 2021–2022, was 2.40.
A similar trend has been recorded in the number of permanent exclusions, where the number rose from 2,179 the year before to 3,039 in 2022–2023.
The DfE noted that suspensions are typically higher in the autumn term than in spring and summer.
The latest figures represent a change from that trend and are the highest recorded number of termly suspensions.
Secondary schools, with pupils aged between 11 and 16 years old, drove the overall increase, following a slowdown in suspensions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main reason for suspending children from school was listed as disruptive behaviour. The same was recorded for permanent exclusion cases.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said the data reflect the views of school leaders across the UK.
“There is a really difficult situation with challenging behaviour among some pupils. There are a number of reasons for this – mental health issues, unmet special educational needs, disengagement with the curriculum, and, in some cases, wider problems within families,” said ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio in a statement.
He said one of the main reasons for the trend was under-investment into social and mental health support services for families and children.
“It hasn’t happened out of the blue,” said Mr. Di’Iasio, adding that schools were left to pick up the pieces after years of budget pressures and increasing demand for services.
“This means that behavioural issues often escalate to a point at which a suspension – or exclusion – is the only option that is left,” he concluded.
The report said that among reasons for suspension were verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult, as well as physical assault against other pupils.
Physical and verbal abuse against adults and other pupils and using or threatening to use an offensive weapon were some of the reasons for permanent expulsion.
‘Unfolding Crisis’
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank attributed the surge in suspensions to the impact of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and the increase in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).CSJ Education Lead Beth Prescott urged the government to “get a grip of this unfolding crisis” and introduce a “national inclusion framework for schools.”
She noted that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected and require more support to access food, clothing, and study resources.
Schools must be better equipped to support pupils to overcome any additional vulnerabilities that may prevent them from engaging in their education, Ms. Prescott added.
Last month, the government announced £850 million to create new places for young people with SEND in schools.
“All too often I hear from parents with children who have special educational needs having to fight to get the right support. That’s why this government has a plan to deliver 60,000 more places that meet the needs of these pupils and their families,” said Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.
The government has also pledged millions of pounds in extra funding for early support hubs.
