Rise in permanent exclusions in city's schools

Suspension and permanent exclusions rates are rising across the country (stock picture)

The number of pupils who were permanently excluded from schools across Sunderland appears to have risen, according to figures.

There were 137 permanent exclusions in the 2024-25 academic year in the city, early data shows.

This is a 31% increase compared to the previous academic year, according to a Sunderland City Council report.

Labour councillor Michael Butler said the local authority was working with schools and academies to develop schemes to improve attendance and reduce suspensions and exclusions.

The report also found that pupil suspensions across schools in the city appeared to have fallen by 11.4% in the 2024-2025 academic year, compared to the previous year.

It said that persistent disruptive behaviour and abuse to adults were the most common reasons for suspensions and permanent exclusions in the city.

Boys in Year 8, 9 and 10 were disproportionately affected by the punishments, the report said.

It added that suspension and exclusion figures were rising across the country and the highest overall rates were seen in the north-east of England.

Butler said the figures were "concerning" and that school attendance and education were "absolutely crucial for improving life chances".

The national average rate for suspensions for mainstream secondary pupils in the 2023-2024 academic year was 22.61. This is calculated as the number of suspensions per 100 pupils.

Meanwhile, the suspension rate for Sunderland's mainstream secondary pupils that same year was 49.37.

The report detailed various potential explanations for the city's high suspension and exclusion rates, such as the impact of the pandemic as well as cuts to pastoral and support staff in schools.