Nearly One Million Pupils Suspended from School in England
School suspensions and exclusions in England have reached their highest levels since 2006, according to new figures from the Department for Education.
In the 2023/24 academic year, state schools recorded nearly 955,000 suspensions, a 21% increase from the previous year, while permanent exclusions rose by 16%, reaching 10,885 cases.
Although most suspensions occurred in secondary schools, primary-level suspensions have seen a steep 24% rise, affecting over 100,000 younger children.
Persistent disruptive behaviour was the most cited reason for suspensions, but the figures also point to a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups. Nearly half of suspended pupils were receiving special educational needs (SEN) support, making them three times more likely to be suspended than their peers.
Children on free school meals made up 60% of suspensions despite representing just 25% of the school population. Among permanently excluded primary pupils, a staggering 88% were receiving SEN support.
Education leaders and advocacy groups warn that these patterns reflect systemic failings rather than isolated disciplinary issues. Paul Whiteman of the NAHT union noted that schools alone cannot address the wider social and emotional factors behind poor behaviour, including poverty, mental health struggles, and insufficient SEN provision.
Meanwhile, research from the charity Chance UK highlights the long-term damage: 90% of children excluded in primary school fail to pass GCSE English and maths.
These trends raise serious concerns about the right to education, the right of children with disabilities to adequate support, and the principle of acting in the child’s best interests. Exclusion not only removes children from the classroom, but it also disrupts their development and compounds existing inequalities.
To uphold children’s rights and ensure every pupil has the opportunity to thrive, schools should prioritise inclusive practices, early intervention, and targeted support over punitive responses.
