Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
Spring term 2021/22

Description

This page describes the data included in the ‘Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England: Autumn term 2021/22’ National Statistics release’s underlying data files. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-government-transparency-and-accountability/2010-to-2015-government-policy-government-transparency-and-accountability#appendix-3-releasing-data-in-open-and-anonymised-formats).

The publication methodology, available on the publication report, 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 exclusions in:

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

The information is based on data collected via the school census

File formats and conventions

Rounding

This dataset has not had rounding or suppression applied.

Conventions

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data.

‘z’ Not applicable.

Data files

Permanent exclusions and suspensions - by geography

Filename: exc_nat_region_la.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension.

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 moresuspension (rate)
perm_excl           |  Permanent exclusions
perm_excl_rate      |  Permanent exclusions (rate)
school_type         |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
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.


Permanent exclusions and suspensions - by reason

Filename: exc_reason.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions by reason for exclusion. Includes multiple reasons for exclusion from 2020/21.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                    |  Variable description
-------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 in place to protect public health
perm_public_health_perc          |  Permanent - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures in place to protect 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 (%)
school_type                      |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
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 in place to protect public health
susp_public_health_perc          |  Suspension - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures in place to protect 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. 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.
2. 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.


Permanent exclusions and suspensions - pupil referral units

Filename: exc_pru.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension by term in pupil referral units.

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.


Suspensions - average number of suspensions and average days missed per pupil

Filename: exc_av_days_missed_susp.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Average number of suspensions and average days lost per suspended pupil.

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).
headcount                 |  Headcount
num_schools               |  Number of schools
number_days_susp          |  Number of days of suspensions
one_plus_susp             |  Pupil enrolments with one or moresuspension
school_type               |  School Type - State-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special, Total
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 - number of suspensions per pupil

Filename: exc_number_susp.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Number of pupils by the number of suspensions they have received.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-----------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
headcount    |  Number of pupils
school_type  |  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 - total days missed per pupil

Filename: exc_days_missed_susp.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Number of pupil enrolments by total length of suspensions accrued across the academic year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

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

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 suspensions

Filename: exc_duration_suspension.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 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
school_type         |  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.


Permanent exclusions and suspensions - school level

Filename: exc_school.csv
Geographic levels: School
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension, broken down at school level. Includes trust name where applicable.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
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)
school_type         |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
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.


Permanent exclusions and suspensions - by characteristics

Filename: exc_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2019/20 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content summary: Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension by pupil characteristics. Includes breakdowns by age, gender, national curriculum year, ethnicity, Free School Meals and Special Educational Needs.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
breakdown           |  Pupil characteristic - Detail of age, gender, national curriculum year, ethnicity, fsm, SEN
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)
school_type         |  School Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
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. Total pupil headcounts are only available at spring term each year. Exclusion and suspension rates by ethnicity are therefore calculated based on pupil headcounts as at spring term for the academic year. For autumn 2021/22, the most recent headcounts available were at spring 2020/21. As a result, total headcounts by ethnicity will not sum to the same total as for other characteristics.
