Exclusions Rising In Primary Schools In England
The increase in temporary suspension rates among primary school pupils in England has raised serious concerns among education leaders and unions. According to the latest data from the Department for Education, the post-pandemic rise in suspensions at the secondary school level has slowed, but the same trend has not been observed in primary schools. In the autumn term of 2024-25, while the suspension rate in secondary schools declined, the rate in primary schools rose to 0.89 per 100 pupils. During the same period, the number of pupils suspended from state-funded secondary schools decreased by 4 percent to 287,306, while the number in primary schools increased by 6 percent to 39,914.
Education leaders stated that there is no single reason behind this increase, emphasizing that the growing complexity of needs among younger children plays an important role. Shazia Azhar, headteacher of Spring Grove Junior, Infant and Nursery School in Huddersfield, said that the inclusion of children with complex needs in mainstream education may be a significant factor. According to Azhar, some pupils do not have the vocabulary to express their needs, which makes it difficult for them to regulate themselves and can sometimes lead to violent behaviour.
School readiness also emerged as a key issue. Dan Woodrow, headteacher of St Gregory CEVC Primary School in Suffolk, stated that fewer children are now starting Reception “school ready.” According to Woodrow, weaknesses in children’s independence, patience, resilience, and ability to play with peers can cause them to feel overwhelmed in the school environment and lead to an increase in behavioural problems.
Unions and school leaders emphasized that it would be misleading to explain the rise solely as a result of schools applying more sanctions. Post-pandemic developmental delays, language and self-regulation difficulties, poverty, family stress, mental health problems, and insufficient school funding were cited as major factors worsening the situation.