Surrey School Reports Over Three Suspensions Daily, Highlighting Trends

A state-funded secondary school in Surrey has reported an alarming rate of suspensions, with an average of more than three pupils suspended daily. According to the latest statistics from the Department for Education, Fullbrook School in New Haw issued a total of 609 suspensions during the 2023/24 academic year, making it the highest among secondary schools in the region.

Sunbury Manor School followed closely, with 541 suspensions, translating to nearly three per day. Other schools with significant suspension rates included Oxted School at 511, Ash Manor School at 431, Warlingham School at 424, and Three Rivers Academy in Hersham with 403 suspensions.

While these numbers are concerning, they are not the highest in the country. The Co-op Academy Grange in Bradford reported the most significant figure, with a staggering 3,174 suspensions, averaging nearly 17 per day. Following this, Camborne Science and International Academy in Cornwall recorded 2,976 suspensions, or approximately 16 per day, while Skegness Academy had 2,819, equating to 15 per day.

Rising Suspension Rates Post-Pandemic

The statistics reveal a troubling trend in school discipline. The rate of suspensions and permanent exclusions at state-funded secondary schools has more than doubled since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the 2018/19 academic year, there were 10.7 suspensions per 100 pupils. This figure surged to 18.9 in 2022/23 and further increased to 22.6 per 100 in the current academic year.

In the South East, the suspension rate is lower than the national average at 18.6 per 100 pupils. In contrast, the North East of England has the highest suspension rates, with an alarming 39.7 suspensions per 100 pupils. Notably, Outwood Academy Normanby in Redcar and Cleveland recorded the highest rate in the country with an astounding 348 suspensions per 100 pupils last year.

Other schools in the North East also showed high suspension rates, including Outwood Academy Kirkby with 284 per 100 and Outwood Academy Ormesby at 283. The highest suspension rate in the South East was at Kings College Guildford, which recorded 64 suspensions per 100 pupils.

As schools navigate these challenges, it remains critical to understand the underlying causes of increased suspensions and the broader implications for student behaviour and educational outcomes. The figures highlight a pressing need for schools to adopt effective strategies for managing behaviour and supporting students in their learning environments.

For detailed statistics on suspensions at various schools, an interactive resource is available to the public.