School suspensions rise by 12pc
The number of suspensions from schools in England has risen 12 per cent in a year, government figures have shown.
Data from the Department for Education (DfE) revealed there were 295,559 suspensions in the spring term of 2023-24, compared with 263,904 during the same term of 2022-23 – a rise of 12 per cent
The figures showed there were also 3,107 permanent exclusions in spring 2024, compared to 3,039 in spring 2023 – an increase of 2 per cent.
The rise comes amid warnings of challenging behaviour in classrooms following the pandemic.
Comparing the 2024 data to spring 2019, when there were 153,465 recorded school suspensions, the figure has nearly doubled – at an increase of 93 per cent.
The most common reason for permanent exclusion and for suspension, which means exclusion for a set period of time, was persistent disruptive behaviour, the DfE said.
However, between autumn 2023 and spring 2024, the number of suspensions and permanent exclusions actually fell, according to the latest figures.
In autumn 2023, there were 346,279 suspensions and 4,168 permanent exclusions, both higher than the figures recorded for spring term 2024.
Pepe Di'Iasio, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the figures were 'still worryingly high'.
He added: 'Young people only have one chance at a good education, and leaders and teachers are all too aware that missing out on time in the classroom is damaging to their attainment and future prospects.'
He added: 'We know that the Government wants to improve attendance and behaviour, but this can only happen if they provide a level of investment that gives schools and other local services the tools they need to provide support to children and young people at an early stage.'
Paul Whiteman, the general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, blamed 'poverty, the cost-of-living crisis and lingering impacts of the pandemic' for the increase.
He added: 'Schools can't do it on their own. To avoid suspension and exclusion, they need funded, specialist help to meet every child's needs.'
Steve Haines, the director of public affairs at Impetus charity, said: 'Over 295,000 suspensions and 3,000 permanent exclusions in spring of last year is a stark warning: our schools are not set up to support the needs of all students.
'Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in particular are four times more likely to be suspended and five times more likely to be excluded than their better-off peers – with knock-on effects that can impact the rest of their lives.
'Children cannot learn if they are not in school and engaged, so it's no surprise that young people who are suspended even once are unlikely to pass their GCSE English and maths, and they're twice as likely to be neither earning nor learning at 24.'
Stephen Morgan, the minister for early education, claimed the Government had inherited 'a broken system'.
He said: 'Suspensions and permanent exclusions continue to creep up, costing all children and young people – and those with Send in particular – precious time at school and hampering their life chances.
'That is why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are turning the tide on the underlying causes of poor behaviour by providing access to a specialist mental health professional in every school and ensuring earlier intervention for pupils with Send.
'Our roll out of free breakfast clubs also began this week in 750 early adopter schools, proven to improve children's attendance, attainment and behaviour and to help them achieve and thrive.'
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