Permanent exclusions and suspensions show pupils with SEND disproportionately affected

The data from the spring term 2021/22 has been released and shows an increase in exclusions from the autumn term that year and a huge increase in suspensions, up by almost 20,000. Disappointingly the most common reason for suspensions and permanent exclusions remains the same as previous which is persistent disruptive behaviour, perhaps when the data for 2022/23 is issued we will see the impact of the new behaviour hubs on reducing these figures? Delving deeper into the detail, 87% of permanent exclusions were in secondary schools however there was an increase across all school types from the autumn term. The following statistics are of concern when considered together:

• The highest rates of suspension and permanent exclusions is for pupils at SEN support level
• Pupils at SEN support are over 4 times more likely to be suspended and 8 times more likely to be permanently excluded
• Pupils with an EHCP are almost 4 times more likely to be suspended and permanently excluded than those without an EHCP
• Suspension rates for male pupils is almost double that for female pupils
• Suspension rates for FSM pupils is 3 times higher and is 7 times higher for permanent exclusion
• When considering ethnicity, pupils of Gypsy Roma and Irish Traveller heritage are 11 times and 12 times more likely respectively to be permanently excluded

Further delving reveals that 47 pupils in year 1 or below were permanently excluded that term with 4,127 suspensions, these are pupils age 6 and below. Is the provision for young people within schools being impacted by the retention and recruitment crisis across the sector and the overall ability to support young people? Is, as was mooted in Ofsted’s review into professional development, more training in SEN required for all professionals as a national programme of support? What more can be done with curriculum planning, resourcing and inclusion to ensure these figures are reduced?