Children from poor backgrounds are three times more likely to be suspended from school in England, according to new analysis. The data shows that since the pandemic, more than 3,000 pupils from disadvantaged households are sent home every day, with suspensions among this group rising by 75% compared to a 4% increase for their better-off peers.
The findings come amid a separate survey of 6,500 teachers, which revealed that almost nine out of ten reported a rise in physically violent and abusive behaviour from pupils. Three-quarters attributed this to poor socialisation skills following Covid restrictions. Over a third of teachers said they had experienced violence or physical abuse in the last year.
The analysis, by the Who’s Losing Learning? coalition, found that for the first time more than half of all suspensions involved children from poor backgrounds. Children with social workers or special needs were four times more likely to be suspended. Geographically, the East Midlands saw the biggest increase at 57%, while inner London had a 7% rise.
Ethnic disparities also emerged: Black Caribbean pupils were 1.5 times more likely to be suspended than white British peers, while Gypsy and Roma children were over three times more likely. Kiran Gill of The Difference charity warned of a “pandemic of lost learning” and called the situation a “social injustice”.
The Department for Education said it supports headteachers in promoting good behaviour and has issued updated guidance on suspensions. Meanwhile, a separate NFER study found that most primary schools are asking parents for more financial contributions due to budget pressures.
