England's School Suspension Crisis Prompts Major Policy Overhaul
School suspensions in England have reached unprecedented levels in the post-pandemic era, with nearly one million incidents recorded during the 2023-24 academic year. This alarming statistic has prompted the Department for Education to introduce significant reforms aimed at curbing the overuse of suspensions and promoting more effective behavioural management strategies within schools.
New Framework Prioritises Internal Exclusion Units
The forthcoming government guidance will fundamentally reshape how schools approach disciplinary measures. Under the new framework, suspending pupils from school will be reserved exclusively for the most serious cases of misconduct, particularly those involving violence or extreme disruption. This represents a substantial shift from current practices where suspensions have been applied more broadly.
Instead of sending students home for non-violent behavioural issues, schools will be encouraged to utilise "internal exclusion" units. These supervised settings allow pupils to continue their education in a separate environment while remaining within the school premises. The Department for Education emphasises that this approach maintains learning continuity while addressing behavioural concerns more effectively than traditional suspensions.
Addressing the Digital Dilemma in Modern Discipline
The government's consultation recognises that traditional suspension methods have become increasingly problematic in the digital age. As the DfE statement explains: "Suspensions were introduced 40 years ago – long before the existence of mobile phones and social media. Today, suspension at home can mean unfettered access to friends and online gaming – doing little to address behaviour, enforce punishment or re-engage pupils with learning."
This reform aims to eliminate the contradiction between schools' efforts to restrict mobile phone usage during lessons and the reality that suspended students often have unlimited access to digital devices while away from school premises. The new approach seeks to create more consistent behavioural expectations and consequences.
Balancing Flexibility with Clearer Standards
While headteachers will retain discretion in applying suspensions for serious offences, the new framework establishes clearer expectations for internal exclusion practices. Many secondary schools have already implemented similar units to manage disruptive behaviour without interrupting students' education during teaching hours. However, concerns have been raised about inconsistent implementation, with some isolation units failing to provide adequate supervision or appropriate academic work.
The Department for Education's guidance aims to standardise these practices, ensuring that internal suspension serves as "a short, structured intervention with meaningful learning and time for reflection." This structured approach is designed to reinforce behavioural expectations while maintaining educational progress.
Supporting Inclusive Education for All Students
The forthcoming schools white paper, scheduled for publication next month, will complement these behavioural reforms with enhanced support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). The government plans to increase the number of Send students educated in mainstream state schools, requiring greater flexibility in behaviour policies to accommodate children with social and emotional challenges.
Education experts have welcomed this direction while acknowledging implementation challenges. Kiran Gill, chief executive of The Difference education charity, commented: "This is a really exciting direction of travel – to recognise that, though sanctions are important in schools, children being out of school or learning can worsen safeguarding threats and long term outcomes."
The charity is launching a three-year programme supporting ten schools to develop sector-leading internal provision and reduce repeat suspensions, demonstrating the education sector's commitment to finding more effective solutions to behavioural challenges.
