Prime Highlights:

• Pupils in England may stay in school during suspensions for non-violent behaviour, helping them continue learning and reflect on their actions.
• The move aims to reduce lost learning and prevent pupils from retreating to social media or gaming while suspended.

Key Facts:

• In 2023-24, 51% of suspensions were for disruptive behaviour, 13% for attacking another pupil, and 6% for attacking an adult.
• The upcoming Schools White Paper will introduce a framework for internal suspensions and include changes to the SEND system.

Background:

Pupils in England may no longer be automatically sent home when suspended, as the government seeks to limit lost learning and keep young people engaged, the Department for Education (DFE) has announced.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized that sending pupils home can lead to them “retreating to social media” and gaming, potentially undermining the purpose of a suspension. Under the proposed changes, students who have not been violent could remain on school premises in a structured, supervised setting.

The DfE said internal suspensions, already used by many schools, often vary in practice. Some pupils currently receive generic work that does not support learning or reintegration. The new guidance says internal suspensions should be short and organised, so pupils can keep learning and think about their behaviour.

Suspensions have been rising in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2022-23 and 2023-24, the number of suspensions went up by 21%, from 787,000 to 955,000. The suspension rate also rose from 9.33 to 11.31 per 100 pupils, with the biggest increase seen in primary schools. Headteachers will retain discretion over the type of suspension used.

Richard Walkden, headteacher at Ecclesfield Secondary School in Sheffield, said suspensions remain a last resort but play an important role in setting clear behavioural boundaries. “Lost learning is the biggest impact. Students get one chance at secondary education, and every day counts,” he said.

Phillipson stressed that suspensions will continue to address serious behaviour, but the focus is now on reducing time away from learning. Schools will also be encouraged to remain phone-free throughout the day, under new government guidance.

Pupils with SEND and those on free school meals are suspended more often.

The Department for Education plans to let schools keep non-violent pupils in school during suspensions, with changes included in the upcoming Schools White Paper.

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