The number of pupils excluded in the spring term has reached a record high, new data shows.

The Department for Education has published data for the 2024-25 spring term, showing growing numbers of suspensions for pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) and pupils who receive support for special educational needs and disabilities.

In the 2024-25 spring term, 3,320 pupils were excluded in English schools - a rise of 7 per cent, which surpasses the previous record of 3,107 in spring 2023-24.

Suspensions increase

Overall, the total cases and rates of suspension also increased between spring 2023-24 and 2024-25. The total suspension rate rose from 3.50 per 100 pupils to 3.72 last year, and 312,562 pupils were suspended - up 6 per cent from 295,559.

While the number of exclusions reached a record level in the spring, the exclusion rate remained stable.

In spring 2023-24, 169,772 disadvantaged pupils were suspended and 2,021 were excluded. During the same period in 2024-25, the figures increased to 188,388 and 2,231 respectively, meaning suspensions of disadvantaged pupils increased by 11 per cent and exclusions rose by 10 per cent.

The rate of suspensions also increased for FSM-eligible pupils last spring: these pupils are four times more likely to be suspended than the general pupil population.

FSM‑eligible pupils received 8.73 suspensions per 100 pupils in spring 2024‑25, up from 8.16 in 2023-24.

More pupils with SEND suspended

These findings are similar to those for pupils receiving SEND support and with education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

In spring 2024-25, the suspension rate for pupils receiving SEND support was 9.79 per 100 pupils, or 114,173 cases in total. In the same period the previous year, 101,171 pupils receiving support were suspended at a rate of 9.00.

The total number of pupils with EHCPs suspended increased from 30,635 in spring 2023-24 to 38,766 in the same period last year, a rise of 27 per cent. The suspension rate increased from 7.74 to 8.83 over the same time period.

For pupils with no identified needs or disabilities, the rate and cases of suspension decreased.

The total number of suspensions reduced from 163,753 in the 2023-24 spring term to 159,623 - a fall of 3 per cent. The rate of pupils suspended reduced from 2.36 to 2.35 in the same period.

‘Education in England is at a crossroads’

Responding to the data, Ellie Harris, principal research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said: “Children and young people with special educational needs are clearly struggling in schools - despite the hard work of teachers and leaders.

“These are the young people who need school the most, who find learning the hardest and benefit most from all school has to offer.”

She added: “Education in England is at a crossroads - with reforms and investment on the horizon, the challenge now is to support schools to deliver a more inclusive system where needs are met earlier, behaviour is de-escalated and all children are supported to belong, achieve and thrive.”