A recent report has highlighted the concerning trend of children with special educational needs facing suspensions and exclusions in schools instead of receiving the necessary support. The Runnymede Trust, a racial justice charity, discovered a significant issue of under-diagnosis of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) among students from minority ethnic backgrounds, particularly Black boys.
The report revealed that Black children, those with SEND, and students on free school meals are disproportionately represented in school suspensions and exclusions. Researchers expressed concern that vulnerable pupils are often excluded to safeguard exam results rather than addressing underlying issues such as unmet SEND needs, racial bias, or safeguarding deficiencies.
During the 2023/24 academic year, there were approximately 955,000 suspensions, marking a 21% increase from the previous year and the highest level since 20026. Of these, nearly 11,000 were permanent exclusions. Official data indicated that students with identified needs were over three times more likely to be suspended, while those eligible for free school meals were more than four times as likely compared to their peers.
The report also highlighted disparities in suspension rates among different ethnic groups, with White British pupils having an average rate of 13.69 per 100 pupils, while Black Caribbean and Mixed White and Black Caribbean pupils had rates of 15.63 and 20.63, respectively. Children of Irish Heritage and Gypsy/Roma descent had the highest rates.
Racial bias and stereotypes were identified as contributing factors to the disproportionate exclusion of Black boys. Parents shared distressing accounts of their children being excluded for minor incidents, such as bringing a small water pistol to school, leading to lengthy periods of absence from education.
The report emphasized that school exclusions have a detrimental impact, criminalizing and traumatizing children, and leaving lasting scars on them and their families. Previous research has shown a correlation between school exclusions and later criminal involvement, with a significant proportion of individuals receiving prison sentences having been suspended from school and identified with SEND.
Efforts are underway to address these issues, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson working on plans to reform the SEND system. Calls have been made for better training for teachers in special educational needs and the establishment of national standards to address the challenges faced by the system.