The focus on the sharp rise in suspensions and exclusions in schools across England couldn’t come at a more crucial time. Yet while much attention is focused on what is happening at secondary school, we need to ensure our youngest school children are not forgotten. Every day children as old as five and six are being suspended and even excluded. The latest figures released by the Department for Education reveals a concerning picture. Suspensions and exclusions in our primary schools are rising fast and are now higher than pre-pandemic levels. Not only that, but exclusions are increasing at a faster rate in primary schools compared to secondary schools.
Worryingly, in 2022/23 there were over 27,500 suspensions/exclusions for children aged 6 and under. This ‘Covid Cohort’ missed vital early support as most childcare facilities closed during the pandemic and staying at home meant little chance for vital socialisation. Continuing delays in diagnosing special education needs and disabilities (SEND) and providing specialist support have exacerbated the challenges children face. Our research shows that 97% of those excluded at primary school had a special educational need.
As charities supporting some of the most vulnerable children in our communities, we are calling on our new government to urgently prioritise ring-fence funding for high-quality early intervention for primary school children. We cannot afford to wait until these children become teenagers but must act now before the challenges they face reach crisis level. We know that 90% of children excluded at primary school don’t pass their GCSE English and maths.
We cannot continue to ignore the impact of the last few years on children across the UK and must take action today to ensure children get to live the happy, healthy and safe lives they deserve.
Yours sincerely,
Vanessa Longley
CEO of Chance UK
Co-signed by:
Indy Cross, Chief Executive, Agenda Alliance
Andy Bell, CEO, Centre for Mental Health
Charlotte Rainer, Coalition Manager, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition
Stephen Kingdom Campaign Manager, Disabled Children’s Partnership
Jack Reynolds CEO, Football Beyond Borders
Jaine Stannard, CEO, School-Home Support
Jane Harris, CEO, Speech and Language UK
Tom Madders, Director of Communications and Campaigns, YoungMinds
