School suspensions and exclusions in England reach record high
There were 10,885 permanent exclusions in 2023/24, compared with 9,376 the year before – a rise of 16%, according to the Department for Education (DfE) data.
The rise comes amid warnings of challenging behaviour in classrooms following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Suspensions – which are when a pupil is excluded from a school for a set period of time – in primary schools rose by nearly a quarter in a year.
Figures released on Thursday show that suspensions for pupils in state primary schools rose by 24%, from 84,264 in 2022/23 to 104,803 in 2023/24.
Meanwhile, suspensions for secondary school pupils rose by 21% in a year, from 685,930 to 829,896.
Persistent disruptive behaviour was the most common reason for sanctions, accounting for 51% of all reasons given for suspension and 39% for exclusion.
Suspensions and exclusions peaked in the 2023/24 autumn term, where there were 346,279 suspensions and 4,168 permanent exclusions in a single term.
The number of suspensions and exclusions in England is the highest since at least 2016/17, when the latest DfE data begins.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'Schools have a duty to provide a safe environment for all pupils and only use suspensions and exclusions when other options to ensure this have been exhausted.
'The reasons for disruptive behaviour often lie beyond the school gates and have their roots in wider challenges, including everything from poverty to access to support with special educational needs and mental ill-health.
'Schools work tirelessly to support pupils, but they alone cannot address the causes and symptoms of poor behaviour.
'They need back-up in the shape of additional investment in vital services like social care, children's mental health, behaviour support teams, and special educational needs provision, which have been reduced or failed to keep up with demand over the last decade.'
Sophie Schmal, director of Chance UK charity, said: 'The latest figures released today reveal a shocking picture, particularly for some of our youngest and most vulnerable children.
'When you have children as young as five and six years old being permanently excluded from school, then clearly something is going very wrong.
'Every day, we see children and families being let down by a system that is failing to support them early enough.'
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Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
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Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Alcohol has made my soulmate a monster - I sleep with defence spray
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I am going to continue to email, call, message whoever I need to, to protect myself and my children, because I am determined I will not be a radio soundbite about someone let down by an overstretched system that allows perpetrators to decide either to walk away, or continue their cycle of abuse. *Name has been changed Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I got a massive tattoo of this UK city to prove my love MORE: My parents can't afford to have the funerals I want for them MORE: I thought my date was too young but I was the immature one Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
STV News
3 days ago
- STV News
Fire-damaged tenement collapses in Glasgow with homes evacuated
A fire-damaged tenement has collapsed in Glasgow with nearby homes evacuated by the firefighters. The building on the corner of Kenmure Street and Albert Drive was gutted by a fire on April 1, 2020, in the early days of the Covid lockdown. Residents have long complained that it was dangerous and had to be demolished. Just after midnight on Friday, one side of the tenement collapsed, spraying dust and debris over the street. Emergency services were called with eight Scottish Fire and Rescue Appliances sent to the scene. Nearby flats were evacuated as firefighters worked to make the area safe. There have been no reported injuries. Tom Urie, who lives on Kenmure Street, was walking by when the building collapsed. 'I had just parked the car and was walking round the corner, when I noticed weird noises coming from the building,' he told STV News. Mr Urie said it sounded like 'fireworks or hail' or people throwing things. 'It got louder and so I made my way across the street,' he said. 'Then the whole side of the building collapsed, filling the whole street with dust. 'It all happened in seconds.' After the tenement was damaged by fire, it was cordoned off and has remained derelict. 'Residents have long complained that it was dangerous,' Mr Urie told STV News. 'But it means something will be done now, it's been an eyesore.' On the opposite side of Albert Drive, another corner tenement was gutted by fire and collapsed in 2019. The 'beautiful old Victorian' tenement had stood for nearly 150 years. Due to the collapse, roads around the area have been shut while assessments are carried out: Kenmure Street at Maxwell Road Kenmure Street at Leslie Street Albert Drive at Keir Street Albert Drive at Glenapp Street A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: 'We were alerted at 12.09am on Saturday, July 12, to reports of a collapsed derelict building on Kenmure Street, Glasgow. 'Operations control mobilised eight appliances to the scene and a number of nearby residents have been evacuated as firefighters work to make the area safe. 'There are no reported casualties.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
