In the autumn term of 2023/24, state-funded schools in England recorded 346,279 suspensions, according to the Department for Education. This is a significant increase from the 247,366 suspensions reported the previous year, and nearly double the number recorded in autumn 2019.
Primary schools saw the highest rise in suspensions, increasing by 41%. Permanent exclusions also rose by 34%, reaching 4,200 in autumn 2023/24. The most common reason for both suspensions and permanent exclusions was persistent disruptive behaviour, accounting for 50% and 36% respectively.
The North East had the highest rates of suspension (6.77) and permanent exclusions (0.09), while Outer London had the lowest rates (1.86 for suspensions and 0.02 for exclusions).
In special schools, Torbay (33.83), Milton Keynes (28.6), and Newcastle upon Tyne (24.85) had the highest suspension rates. Conversely, Hartlepool, Bracknell Forest, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Rutland reported zero suspensions.
Norfolk (2.09) and Blackpool (1.85) had the highest suspension rates in state-funded primary schools, whereas Redcar and Cleveland (35.18) and Hartlepool (32.50) had the highest rates for secondary schools.
To learn more about the situation in your area, view the map below.