New government statistics released this Thursday indicate that school suspensions and permanent exclusions in England have finally decreased following a long period of growth since the pandemic. For the 2024/25 academic year, state schools recorded 913,000 suspensions, marking a 4% decline compared to the previous year. Additionally, permanent exclusions fell by 9% to a total of 9,900.
While secondary and special educational needs schools saw lower suspension rates, primary schools experienced an uptick in such disciplinary actions. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson attributed the shift to the collaborative efforts of families, educators, and the state, though she acknowledged that current figures remain higher than those recorded in 2018/19.
Persistent disruptive conduct remains the leading cause for disciplinary measures, responsible for over half of all suspensions. Other major factors include verbal abuse, threats against staff, and physical violence toward peers. Secondary school students account for the vast majority of suspensions, totaling 85%. Notably, vulnerable groups continue to be disproportionately affected, including students with special educational needs, those eligible for free school meals, and male pupils.
Educational experts such as Paul Whiteman of the National Association of Head Teachers emphasized that schools cannot manage these systemic issues in isolation. Organizations like Mission 44 are urging for earlier interventions, better mental health support, and more robust social services to address the root causes of student behavioral challenges before exclusion becomes necessary.
