School suspensions fall in England for the first time since Covid

School suspensions fall in England for the first time since Covid School suspensions and exclusions in England declined for the first time since the pandemic, according to official figures released on Thursday. State schools recorded 913,000 suspensions during the 2024/25 academic year, representing a 4% alteration compared with the previous period. Permanent exclusions fell by 9% to 9,900 cases. While suspension rates decreased in secondary and special schools, they rose in primary settings. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson remarked that the pandemic had left a "pernicious legacy," but added that teachers nationwide are helping the next generation "turn a corner." She stated, "After years of spiralling suspensions and imperishable exclusions, determination are wide signs that the combined efforts of schools, parents and the authorities are moving – and we are determined to support driving guardant that advancement to hole the behaviour situation we inherited," she said. Prior to the latest release, suspension and exclusion rates had been climbing since before the pandemic. In the preceding year, suspensions reached their highest point in nearly two decades; despite the recent decline, levels remain above those seen in 2018/19. Pupils who are suspended must stay away from school for a fixed period, up to a maximum of 45 days per school year, whereas excluded students are removed permanently. Nearly half of all suspensions (46%) lasted one day or fewer, yet 94,400 pupils missed more than a week of schooling last year due to suspensions. Schools may cite up to three reasons for each suspension or exclusion. Persistent disruptive behaviour continues to be the most frequent cause, accounting for just over half (52%) of the reasons given for suspensions and 40% of exclusions in 2024/25. The next most common grounds for suspension were verbal abuse or threatening behaviour directed at an adult, followed by physical assault against a pupil. Secondary school pupils comprised the overwhelming majority of suspensions (85%). Conversely, primary schools experienced an increase, with 112,545 suspensions recorded in 2024/25—an increase of 7,742 over the previous year.