Government tells schools not to always send suspended students home

The Department for Education says pupils suspended for non-violent reasons should sometimes remain on site with structured learning, and the change will be part of a forthcoming Schools White Paper.

The Department for Education has said pupils suspended from school in England should not automatically be sent home and could instead remain on site in a supervised setting. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson warned that time at home can lead pupils to "retreating to social media" and cause lost learning. The DfE said internal suspensions should be short, structured interventions that include meaningful learning and time for reflection. The proposal forms part of broader changes to the school system and will feature in the delayed Schools White Paper. Key details: - The DfE proposes on-site or internal suspensions for non-violent behaviour while the most serious or violent incidents would still result in removal or permanent exclusion. - The department said internal suspension should involve meaningful work and support reintegration, not generic tasks that do not aid learning. - Suspensions rose by 21% from 787,000 in 2022-23 to 955,000 in 2023-24, and the suspension rate increased from 9.33 to 11.31 per 100 pupils over the same period. - Persistent disruptive behaviour accounted for 51% of suspension reasons in 2023-24, physical assault against a pupil 13%, and physical assault against an adult 6%. - The DfE will consult on a new framework to give head teachers flexibility to use separate supervised settings for pupils facing suspension for non-violent behaviour. - Education sector groups welcomed clearer guidance but raised concerns about resources and consistent implementation across schools. Summary: The change aims to limit lost learning by keeping pupils engaged in education when suspensions are for non-violent reasons, while retaining permanent exclusion for the most serious offences. Head teachers will continue to decide the form suspensions take. The DfE will consult on a new framework and include the measure in the Schools White Paper, with further detail to follow.