Since 2013/14, there has been a 40 per cent increase in permanent exclusions across all schools, while fixed-period exclusions are up 36 per cent. Exclusion rates for children eligible for free school meals, have special educational needs or in care are higher than average (see Analysis).
Campaigners say a combination of factors have created a high-stakes system that incentivises schools and head teachers to exclude pupils because they lack resources to provide sufficient support, or are concerned about the effect of such pupils on academic performance and Ofsted rating.
Calls by the Local Government Association and others for more funding are well founded, but unlikely to succeed any time soon. There is also little sign of a change in education policy. What can change, however, is practice on how and when exclusions are used.
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