Record number of suspensions at Wigan schools in autumn term last year
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Experts said the substantial increase in pupil suspensions across schools in England is due to deteriorating mental health, unmet special educational needs and a lack of funding in local services.
They called on the Government to invest in early intervention services “to stop things spiralling into crisis for children”.
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Hide AdDepartment for Education figures show there were 1,243 suspensions of students at Wigan schools during the 2022-23 autumn term – up from 1,017 across the same period the year before.
This was the highest number of any term since comparable figures began at the start of the 2016-17 academic year.
Nationally, there were more than 247,000 suspensions during the autumn term last year – a record high and a substantial increase on almost 184,000 in the 2021-22 autumn term.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “This increase in suspensions mirrors what we are hearing from schools about a rise in challenging pupil behaviour since the pandemic.
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Hide Ad“That is partly associated with the pandemic itself and the sense among some pupils that normal rules no longer apply, but it is also more deeply-seated in deteriorating mental health, unmet special educational needs, lack of funding and erosion of family support services over a longer period. It is putting huge pressure on school leaders and staff.”
In the 125 schools in Wigan, the most suspensions (1,066) were given at secondary schools, while there were 139 at primary schools and 38 suspensions at special schools.
In England, the overall suspension rate was 2.96, meaning there were 296 suspensions per 10,000 students. This was lower for schools in Wigan, where the rate was 2.61.
Mr Barton added: “Early intervention is the key to preventing behaviour issues spiralling to the point of suspensions and exclusions.
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Hide Ad“But doing that requires a commitment on the part of the Government to sufficient investment in schools and local services. That is sadly lacking at present.”
Permanent exclusions were also on the rise last year, with 3,100 students expelled from schools during the autumn term – 1,000 more than the year before.
In Wigan, 31 pupils had to look for a new school after being expelled.