Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England

The latest data for school suspensions and permanent exclusions was published on 21 November 2024 by the Department for Education and covered the autumn term 2023/24.

Headline facts and figures for autumn term 2023/24:

• There were 346,279 suspensions in the autumn term 2023/24 an increase of 98,900 over the same period the previous year and nearly double the equivalent term in 2019/20 prior to the pandemic.
• The suspension (rate) for autumn term 2023/24 was 13 increased from 2.96 in autumn term 2022/23 and nearly double the rate in autumn term 2019/20.
• There were 4,168 permanent exclusions in autumn term 2023/24. Increased from 3,104 in autumn term 2022/23. It is also higher than the pre-pandemic autumn term (2019/20) when there were 3,200 permanent exclusions
• Permanent exclusions (rate) was 05 in autumn term 2023/24. Increased from 0.04 in autumn term 2022/23 and equivalent to 5 permanent exclusions for every 10,000 pupils. The 2019/20 autumn term rate was 0.04.
• The most common reason for both suspensions and permanent exclusions was persistent disruptive behaviour. In autumn term 2023/24, persistent disruptive behaviour accounted for 50% of all reasons given for suspensions and 36% of reasons given for permanent exclusions (Up to 3 reasons can be given for each suspension and permanent exclusion). This reason was also the most common in previous terms and years.

Data covering the full 2022/23 academic year is available within the Academic year 2022/23 publication.

Would you like to learn more about attendance?  Have a look at the DAG Busy Governance Guide to Attendance.