Alarm as School Exclusions Surge to Record Highs in England, Exacerbating Educational Inequality

"Absolutely startling": School exclusions of children hit unprecedented levels

Concern spreads among nonprofits and labor groups as official data reveals that the rates of student exclusions and suspensions are now surpassing those seen before the pandemic.

Political correspondent @NickMartinSKY

Thursday, July 18, 2024, 3:

There has been an unprecedented increase in the amount of students being expelled from schools, leading to concerns about a rapidly escalating crisis within the educational system in England.

In the 2022/2023 academic year, 9,376 students were expelled from school, marking a 44 percent increase from the previous year.

The count of students receiving short-term suspensions increased by 36 percent from the previous year, totaling 786,961.

Newly released government data reveal that the rates of student exclusions and suspensions have surpassed those seen before the pandemic.

The statistics reveal an increasing disparity in educational institutions, putting children at greatest risk of dropping out.

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Over half of the students suspended come from low-income households, and those of Gypsy Roma and Traveller heritage face suspension rates more than double that of their peers.

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Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), expressed concern, stating: "The alarming increase to a record number of suspensions and exclusions is deeply worrying for all stakeholders in education and serves as a significant warning to the incoming government about the magnitude of the challenges they face. It's evident that the current approach cannot continue."

Beth Prescott, who heads education at the Centre for Social Club (CSJ), commented, "These numbers are absolutely astounding."

Amidst the ongoing crisis of student absenteeism, where the phenomenon of 'ghost children'—students who are virtually absent—is alarmingly high and one in every five children is chronically missing school, an urgent and critical situation is rapidly developing in our educational institutions.

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"Yesterday's royal address offered scant details on plans for reopening schools."

Kiran Gill, Chief Executive Officer of The Difference, a charitable organization aiding school administrators, commented, "The alarming increase in student learning loss due to exclusions underscores the necessity for a cohesive strategy."

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"It's impossible to disentangle policy reactions concerning behavior from the crisis in special needs, mental health issues, or the lack of equal opportunities for the most disadvantaged children."

A probe by Sky News previously uncovered indications that certain schools were intentionally omitting some students.

A whistle-blower has informed Sky News that she observed schools within a local authority expelling students because they had special educational needs or disabilities.

In certain instances, she mentioned that teachers boasted about having weeded out several students.

Minister Stephen Morgan stated, "These alarming statistics reveal the extensive increase in disruptive activities within schools nationwide, which have escalated over the recent years under the past administration. This situation deteriorates the working environment for educational staff, impedes student learning, and adversely affects the future opportunities of young people."

"Every student has the right to an education in a secure, peaceful environment, and we are committed to backing our diligent and committed educators to ensure this is achieved."

We are resolved to address the root causes of misconduct: we have pledged to ensure that every secondary school has access to expert mental health professionals, to implement complimentary breakfast clubs in all primary schools, and to facilitate early intervention in regular schools for students with special needs.

"However, it's recognized that poor behavior often stems from broader problems, prompting the government to create a comprehensive plan aimed at decreasing child poverty. This initiative is spearheaded by a taskforce, jointly led by the education secretary, to dismantle the obstacles that hinder opportunities."

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