Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
Spring term 2024/25

This page describes the data included in the ‘Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England’ accredited official statistics release’s underlying data files. The publication methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/pupil-exclusion-statistics-methodology) should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

This release provides information on suspensions and permanent exclusions in:

- state-funded primary schools
- state-funded secondary schools
- special schools (including non-maintained special schools)

Information on exclusions in alternative provision (including pupil referral units) is also provided separately,

The information is based on data collected via the school census

File formats and conventions

This dataset has not had suppression applied. Rates are presented to two decimal places in the release but greater precision is included in the underlying data files

Conventions

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data.

‘z’ Not applicable.

‘x’ Not available.

Data files

Suspensions and permanent exclusions by geography

Filename: exc_nat_region_la.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
education_phase     |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
headcount           |  Headcount
num_schools         |  Number of schools
one_plus_susp       |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_rate  |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension (rate)
perm_excl           |  Permanent exclusions
perm_excl_rate      |  Permanent exclusions (rate)
susp_rate           |  Suspension (rate)
suspension          |  Suspensions

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.


Suspensions and permanent exclusions - by pupil characteristic

Filename: exc_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2019/20 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and rate of suspensions and permanent exclusions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension by pupil characteristics including age, sex, year group, ethnicity, free school meal (FSM) eligibility and special education need (SEN).

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
characteristic      |  Pupil characteristic - Detail of age, sex, national curriculum year, ethnicity, fsm, SEN
education_phase     |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
headcount           |  Headcount
one_plus_susp       |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_rate  |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension (rate)
perm_excl           |  Permanent exclusions
perm_excl_rate      |  Permanent exclusions (rate)
susp_rate           |  Suspension (rate)
suspension          |  Suspensions

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.
2. EHC plans – A pupil has an EHC plan when a formal assessment has been made. A document is in place that sets out the child’s need and the extra help they should receive. EHC plans were introduced in September 2014 replacing Statements of SEN, with these being phased out by April 2018. This category therefore includes Statements of SEN for the years up to 2018.
3. SEN support - From 2015, the School Action and School Action Plus categories were combined to form one category of SEN support. Extra or different help is given from that provided as part of the school’s usual curriculum. The class teacher and special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) may receive advice or support from outside specialists. The pupil does not have an Education, Health and Care plan.
4. From 2023/24 the school census data item ‘sex’ replaced ‘gender’. Historical use of the word “gender” in the data collection may have meant that “gender identity” was reported in some cases, as opposed to legal sex. While this is unlikely to have a significant effect on overall figures, it may affect figures in more granular subdivisions. This category is presented as a single time-series but prior to spring 2023 any data was reported as 'gender'.
5. Caution is recommended when interpreting the data for Traveller of Irish Heritage and Gypsy/Roma children due to small population sizes
6. Data on one or more suspensions may not match the totals in the "Permanent exclusions and suspensions - by geography" data file - this occurs where a characteristic changes within the term and suspensions are recorded separately against each. For example, a pupil with multiple suspensions while recorded as not having SEN and with multiple suspensions while recorded as SEN support in the same term, will count as two enrolments in this data.


Suspensions and permanent exclusions - school level

Filename: exc_school.csv
Geographic levels: School
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and rate of suspensions and permanent exclusions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension, broken down at school level.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
education_phase     |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
headcount           |  Headcount
one_plus_susp       |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_rate  |  Pupil enrolments with one or moresuspension (rate)
perm_excl           |  Permanent exclusions
perm_excl_rate      |  Permanent exclusions (rate)
susp_rate           |  Suspension (rate)
suspension          |  Suspensions

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.


Suspensions and permanent exclusions - by multiple reasons (2020/21 onwards)

Filename: exc_reasons_2021_onward.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2020/21 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and rate of suspensions and permanent exclusions by reason for exclusion. Up to 3 reasons can be recorded for each exclusion from 2020/21.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                    |  Variable description
-------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                  |  School Type - State-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special
perm_abuse_disability            |  Permanent Abuse relating to disability
perm_abuse_disability_perc       |  Permanent Abuse relating to disability %
perm_abuse_sex_gender            |  Permanent Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity
perm_abuse_sex_gender_perc       |  Permanent Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity %
perm_all                         |  Permanent Total reasons
perm_bullying                    |  Permanent Bullying
perm_bullying_perc               |  Permanent Bullying %
perm_damage                      |  Permanent Damage
perm_damage_perc                 |  Permanent Damage %
perm_drug_alcohol                |  Permanent Drug and alcohol related
perm_drug_alcohol_perc           |  Permanent Drug and alcohol related %
perm_media_technology            |  Permanent Inappropriate use of social media or online technology
perm_media_technology_perc       |  Permanent Inappropriate use of social media or online technology %
perm_offensive_weapon            |  Permanent Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item
perm_offensive_weapon_perc       |  Permanent Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item %
perm_other                       |  Permanent Other
perm_other_perc                  |  Permanent Other %
perm_persistent_disruptive       |  Permanent Persistent disruptive behaviour
perm_persistent_disruptive_perc  |  Permanent Persistent disruptive behaviour %
perm_physical_adult              |  Permanent Physical assault against an adult
perm_physical_adult_perc         |  Permanent Physical assault against an adult %
perm_physical_pupils             |  Permanent Physical assault against a pupil
perm_physical_pupils_perc        |  Permanent Physical assault against a pupil %
perm_public_health               |  Permanent Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health
perm_public_health_perc          |  Permanent Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health %
perm_racist_abuse                |  Permanent Racist abuse
perm_racist_abuse_perc           |  Permanent Racist abuse %
perm_sexual_misconduct           |  Permanent Sexual misconduct
perm_sexual_misconduct_perc      |  Permanent Sexual misconduct %
perm_theft                       |  Permanent Theft
perm_theft_perc                  |  Permanent Theft %
perm_verbal_adult                |  Permanent Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult
perm_verbal_adult_perc           |  Permanent Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult %
perm_verbal_pupil                |  Permanent Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil
perm_verbal_pupil_perc           |  Permanent Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil %
susp_abuse_disability            |  Suspension Abuse relating to disability
susp_abuse_disability_perc       |  Suspension Abuse relating to disability %
susp_abuse_sex_gender            |  Suspension Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity
susp_abuse_sex_gender_perc       |  Suspension Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity %
susp_all                         |  Suspension Total reasons
susp_bullying                    |  Suspension Bullying
susp_bullying_perc               |  Suspension Bullying %
susp_damage                      |  Suspension Damage
susp_damage_perc                 |  Suspension Damage %
susp_drug_alcohol                |  Suspension Drug and alcohol related
susp_drug_alcohol_perc           |  Suspension Drug and alcohol related %
susp_media_technology            |  Suspension Inappropriate use of social media or online technology
susp_media_technology_perc       |  Suspension Inappropriate use of social media or online technology %
susp_offensive_weapon            |  Suspension Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item
susp_offensive_weapon_perc       |  Suspension Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item %
susp_other                       |  Suspension Other
susp_other_perc                  |  Suspension Other %
susp_persistent_disruptive       |  Suspension Persistent disruptive behaviour
susp_persistent_disruptive_perc  |  Suspension Persistent disruptive behaviour %
susp_physical_adult              |  Suspension Physical assault against an adult
susp_physical_adult_perc         |  Suspension Physical assault against an adult %
susp_physical_pupils             |  Suspension Physical assault against a pupil
susp_physical_pupils_perc        |  Suspension Physical assault against a pupil %
susp_public_health               |  Suspension Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health
susp_public_health_perc          |  Suspension Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health %
susp_racist_abuse                |  Suspension Racist abuse
susp_racist_abuse_perc           |  Suspension Racist abuse %
susp_sexual_misconduct           |  Suspension Sexual misconduct
susp_sexual_misconduct_perc      |  Suspension Sexual misconduct %
susp_theft                       |  Suspension Theft
susp_theft_perc                  |  Suspension Theft %
susp_verbal_adult                |  Suspension Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult
susp_verbal_adult_perc           |  Suspension Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult %
susp_verbal_pupil                |  Suspension Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil
susp_verbal_pupil_perc           |  Suspension Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil %

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.
2. Prior to 2020/21, a single reason could be recorded for each permanent exclusion and suspension. From 2020/21, up to three reasons could be recorded. These reasons were recorded without weighting or prioritisation. As such, the sum of the number of reasons will not match the total number of permanent exclusions or suspensions from 2020/21 onwards.


Suspensions and permanent exclusions - by single reasons (up to 2019/20)

Filename: exc_reasons_termly_pre2021.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2019/20 Summer term
Content summary: Termly number and rate of suspensions and permanent exclusions by reason for exclusion. A single reason could be recorded for each exclusion up to and including 2019/20.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                    |  Variable description
-------------------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                  |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
perm_abuse_disability            |  Permanent - Abuse relating to disability
perm_abuse_disability_perc       |  Permanent - Abuse relating to disability (%)
perm_abuse_sex_gender            |  Permanent - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity
perm_abuse_sex_gender_perc       |  Permanent - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity (%)
perm_all                         |  Permanent - All exclusions
perm_bullying                    |  Permanent - Bullying
perm_bullying_perc               |  Permanent - Bullying (%)
perm_damage                      |  Permanent - Damage
perm_damage_perc                 |  Permanent - Damage (%)
perm_drug_alcohol                |  Permanent - Drug and alcohol related
perm_drug_alcohol_perc           |  Permanent - Drug and alcohol related (%)
perm_media_technology            |  Permanent - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology
perm_media_technology_perc       |  Permanent - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology (%)
perm_offensive_weapon            |  Permanent - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item
perm_offensive_weapon_perc       |  Permanent - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item (%)
perm_other                       |  Permanent - Other
perm_other_perc                  |  Permanent - Other (%)
perm_persistent_disruptive       |  Permanent - Persistent disruptive behaviour
perm_persistent_disruptive_perc  |  Permanent - Persistent disruptive behaviour (%)
perm_physical_adult              |  Permanent - Physical assault against an adult
perm_physical_adult_perc         |  Permanent - Physical assault against an adult (%)
perm_physical_pupils             |  Permanent - Physical assault against a pupil
perm_physical_pupils_perc        |  Permanent - Physical assault against a pupil (%)
perm_public_health               |  Permanent - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health
perm_public_health_perc          |  Permanent - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health (%)
perm_racist_abuse                |  Permanent - Racist abuse
perm_racist_abuse_perc           |  Permanent - Racist abuse (%)
perm_sexual_misconduct           |  Permanent - Sexual misconduct
perm_sexual_misconduct_perc      |  Permanent - Sexual misconduct (%)
perm_theft                       |  Permanent - Theft
perm_theft_perc                  |  Permanent - Theft (%)
perm_verbal_adult                |  Permanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult
perm_verbal_adult_perc           |  Permanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult (%)
perm_verbal_pupil                |  Permanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil
perm_verbal_pupil_perc           |  Permanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil (%)
susp_abuse_disability            |  Suspension - Abuse relating to disability
susp_abuse_disability_perc       |  Suspension - Abuse relating to disability (%)
susp_abuse_sex_gender            |  Suspension - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity
susp_abuse_sex_gender_perc       |  Suspension - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity (%)
susp_all                         |  Suspension - All exclusions
susp_bullying                    |  Suspension - Bullying
susp_bullying_perc               |  Suspension - Bullying (%)
susp_damage                      |  Suspension - Damage
susp_damage_perc                 |  Suspension - Damage (%)
susp_drug_alcohol                |  Suspension - Drug and alcohol related
susp_drug_alcohol_perc           |  Suspension - Drug and alcohol related (%)
susp_media_technology            |  Suspension - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology
susp_media_technology_perc       |  Suspension - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology (%)
susp_offensive_weapon            |  Suspension - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item
susp_offensive_weapon_perc       |  Suspension - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item (%)
susp_other                       |  Suspension - Other
susp_other_perc                  |  Suspension - Other (%)
susp_persistent_disruptive       |  Suspension - Persistent disruptive behaviour
susp_persistent_disruptive_perc  |  Suspension - Persistent disruptive behaviour (%)
susp_physical_adult              |  Suspension - Physical assault against an adult
susp_physical_adult_perc         |  Suspension - Physical assault against an adult (%)
susp_physical_pupils             |  Suspension - Physical assault against a pupil
susp_physical_pupils_perc        |  Suspension - Physical assault against a pupil (%)
susp_public_health               |  Suspension - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health
susp_public_health_perc          |  Suspension - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures public health (%)
susp_racist_abuse                |  Suspension - Racist abuse
susp_racist_abuse_perc           |  Suspension - Racist abuse (%)
susp_sexual_misconduct           |  Suspension - Sexual misconduct
susp_sexual_misconduct_perc      |  Suspension - Sexual misconduct (%)
susp_theft                       |  Suspension - Theft
susp_theft_perc                  |  Suspension - Theft (%)
susp_verbal_adult                |  Suspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult
susp_verbal_adult_perc           |  Suspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult (%)
susp_verbal_pupil                |  Suspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil
susp_verbal_pupil_perc           |  Suspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil (%)

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.
2. Prior to 2020/21, a single reason could be recorded for each permanent exclusion and suspension. From 2020/21, up to three reasons could be recorded. These reasons were recorded without weighting or prioritisation. As such, the sum of the number of reasons will not match the total number of permanent exclusions or suspensions from 2020/21 onwards.


Suspensions and permanent exclusions - state-funded alternative provision (including PRU)

Filename: exc_ap_nat_reg_la.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and rate of suspensions and permanent exclusions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension in state-funded alternative provision settings (includes pupil referral units, AP free schools and AP academies).

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------
headcount           |  Headcount
num_schools         |  Number of schools
one_plus_susp       |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_rate  |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspensionn (rate)
perm_excl           |  Permanent exclusions
perm_excl_rate      |  Permanent exclusions (rate)
susp_rate           |  Suspension (rate)
suspension          |  Suspensions

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.
2. Headcount for all settings including alternative provision do not include dual subsidiary pupils also on roll at another establishment. Alternative provision settings tend to be disproportionately impacted by this when calculating rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions, which can appear significantly higher than other phases.


Suspensions - average days missed

Filename: exc_av_days_missed_susp.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Average number of suspensions and average days lost per suspended pupil during the term.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name             |  Variable description
------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
average_days_missed_susp  |  Average days missed per suspended pupil. (Number of days of suspension / pupils with one or more suspension).
average_number_susp       |  Average number of suspensions per excluded pupil. (Number of suspensions/ pupils with one or more suspension).
education_phase           |  School Type - State-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special, Total
headcount                 |  Headcount
num_schools               |  Number of schools
number_days_susp          |  Number of days of suspensions
one_plus_susp             |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension
sessions_susp             |  Number of sessions of suspensions
suspension                |  Suspensions

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.


Suspensions - days missed per pupil in the term

Filename: exc_days_missed_susp.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Number of pupil enrolments by cumulative days suspended across the term.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name           |  Variable description
----------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
days_missed_suspension  |  Number of days missed to suspensions
education_phase         |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
headcount               |  Number of pupils

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.


Suspensions - duration of suspension

Filename: exc_duration_suspension.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Number of suspensions by length of suspension in days.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
duration_days_susp  |  Duration of suspension in days
education_phase     |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
suspension          |  Number of suspensions

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.


Suspensions - number of suspensions per pupil

Filename: exc_number_susp.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Number of pupils by the number of suspensions they have received (termly).

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
education_phase  |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
headcount        |  Number of pupils
suspension       |  Number of suspensions

Footnotes:

1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.


Suspensions and permanent exclusions - by ethnicity and FSM eligibility

Filename: exc_characteristics_eth_fsm.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023/24 Autumn term to 2024/25 Spring term
Content summary: Number and percentage of suspensions and permanent exclusions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension, broken down by ethnicity and Free School Meals.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
education_phase  |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
ethnicity_minor  |  Ethnicity minor
fsm              |  FSM eligibility
headcount        |  Headcount
one_plus         |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_rate    |  Pupil enrolments with one or more suspension (rate)
perm_excl        |  Permanent exclusions
perm_excl_rate   |  Permanent exclusions (rate)
susp_rate        |  Suspension (rate)
suspension       |  Suspensions
