Significant Rise in School Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in the UK
Data from the autumn term of 2023-24 in the UK reveals a 40% increase in school suspensions and a 25% rise in permanent exclusions. According to the Department for Education, 413 suspensions per 10,000 pupils were recorded during this period, nearly double the pre-pandemic rate.
The department noted that students are being suspended more frequently. Last term, 35,800 students missed over five days, while 12,600 students missed more than ten days due to suspensions.
The most common reason for suspensions was persistent disruptive behaviour, accounting for 50% of cases, followed by verbal or threatening behaviour towards adults at 16% and physical assault against another pupil at 13%.
Secondary schools were responsible for 87% of permanent exclusions, marking a 43% increase compared to the previous year. Persistent disruptive behaviour remained the leading cause of permanent exclusions, representing 36% of the cases.
Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, highlighted the severe issue of rising challenging behaviours in schools. He pointed to the lasting impact of pandemic-related disruptions and called on the government to urgently address these challenges, warning that the education system is “teetering on the brink of collapse.”
Click here for the source.
