Swindon schools witnessed a distressing surge in student suspensions during the autumn term of the last academic year, reaching a record high, according to newly released figures.
Experts attribute this significant increase in pupil suspensions not only in Swindon but across England to a combination of deteriorating mental health, unmet special educational needs, and a lack of funding for local services.
The Department for Education’s latest figures reveal a staggering 1,099 suspensions in Swindon schools during the 2022-23 autumn term. This marks a substantial rise from the 804 suspensions recorded during the same period the previous year.
This surge surpasses the previous record set during the spring term of the 2020-21 academic year when 809 pupils in Swindon faced school suspensions. This figure stood as the highest for any term since comparable records began at the start of the 2016-17 academic year.
On a national scale, the autumn term of the last academic year saw over 247,000 suspensions, establishing a record high and reflecting a notable increase from the nearly 184,000 recorded in the 2021-22 autumn term.
Breaking down the data for Swindon’s 87 schools, secondary schools accounted for the majority of suspensions, with 995 recorded incidents, while primary schools reported 93 suspensions, and special schools had 11.
The overall suspension rate for England was 2.96, equating to 296 suspensions per 10,000 students. In Swindon, the rate was slightly higher at 3.
Experts have called for urgent government investment in early intervention services to address the root causes of these alarming suspension rates and prevent children from reaching crisis points.
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.
“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.”
Alongside the surge in suspensions, there were 18 permanent exclusions during the same term, with 16 occurring in secondary schools and 2 in primary schools.
Mr Barton added: “Early intervention is the key to preventing behaviour issues spiralling to the point of suspensions and exclusions.
“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.”
