The problem of school exclusions, both temporary and permanent, is a growing and increasingly urgent one. Suspensions (temporary exclusions) and permanent exclusions have risen consistently in recent years and latest Department for Education data published in April 2025 shows year-on-year increases (see box).
Students from poorer households are more likely to be excluded and there are differential impacts based on race and ethnicity and care involvement. The latest government figures also show that students with special educational needs (SEN) support are almost four times more likely to be suspended while those with an education health and care plan (EHCP) are over three times more likely.
For permanent exclusions, EHCP students are four times more likely to be permanently excluded and SEN support students are six times more likely to be permanently excluded than non SEN students. Many behaviours punished through exclusions are a direct manifestation of the disability that resulted in eligibility for SEN support, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Inattentive and impulsive behaviours, such as speaking with classmates, turning around in the seat, or calling out are punished under blanket behaviour policies, with in-school exclusion and isolation from peers. Several instances over several classrooms can result in the accusation of persistent disruptive behaviour that can then lead to suspension, then permanent exclusion.
Long-term impacts
The impact of exclusion on the student is often long-term and can damage their educational opportunities, mental health and leave them more vulnerable to criminal exploitation, and involvement in the criminal justice system.
Coram Children's Legal Centre has an established school exclusions team, providing legal representation to parents and students going through the permanent exclusion process. Sabrina Simpson, lead solicitor for Coram's education team, recently scored an important victory for those parents and students in the High Court. As a result of this landmark decision, children will now have the opportunity for legal representation under exceptional case funding from legal aid, when challenging an exclusion before an Independent Review Panel on the grounds of race or disability discrimination. Before this decision, unless parents could afford to hire a solicitor, they were left to fight exclusion without representation.
Simpson runs Coram's School Exclusions Clinic in collaboration with volunteers from law firms, providing free legal representation to parents or carers of children and young people who have been permanently excluded from a school in London. Parents and professionals can also access free information and resources at Coram's School Exclusions Hub.
But while legal support for children and young people who have already been excluded is critical, the serious long-term consequences of exclusion means that earlier upstream interventions to prevent children from being excluded in the first place are essential.
Coram's Voices in Action programme works with children and young people facing school exclusion, homelessness, immigration issues, and involvement in the care system. The programme, supported by Mission 44 and the National Lottery, offers free peer-led workshops for 12-to 16-year-olds at risk of exclusion, delivered by trained young people aged 16 to 25 with personal experience of school exclusion.
Hearing children's voices
Early advocacy support is also a key element in preventing exclusions before legal representation becomes necessary. Working closely with the parent and student, Coram's advocates are led by the student's wishes and feelings and ensure their voice is heard and acted upon throughout the discipline process. The advocate also ensures that the school is following all prescribed policies, procedures, and laws and that all non-punitive resources are exhausted, including proper implementation of SEN support and EHCPs.
Too often, a disabled or neurodivergent student's needs have not been properly assessed or considered, or a teacher has not properly implemented SEN support and made reasonable adjustments. Small changes can make a big difference. Coram can also provide training and support to parent groups and schools so that everyone understands their rights and responsibilities in the process.
Far too many children and young people are unnecessarily excluded from school with devastating long-term consequences. The only way to halt the rise in exclusions is to intervene early when children are at risk and offer advocacy to ensure that young people's needs and voice are central to the process. All alternatives must be explored to ensure that any permanent exclusion is a last resort.
LATEST DATA SHOWS FURTHER RISE
DfE statistics for this spring term show suspensions increased from 263,904 to 295,559 and permanent exclusions increased from 3,039 to 3,107.
The most common reason cited for permanent exclusion is the accusation of persistent disruptive behaviour (38%), a vague category that encompasses many behaviours that could be handled with appropriate classroom management and non-punitive pastoral and SEND interventions. Comparatively few students are excluded for violent or dangerous behaviour.
