Primary School Exclusions Fall Slightly in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Primary Schools See Reduction in Permanent Exclusions, But Figures Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

North Yorkshire primary schools have recorded a reduction in permanent exclusions for the last academic year, offering a glimmer of progress in addressing a worrying trend. However, the numbers remain significantly higher than those seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, with local authorities actively implementing preventative strategies.

Stuart Carlton, Corporate Director for Children and Young People, acknowledged that "the numbers of primary permanent exclusions is worrying" but noted that "overall comparing it to last year we think there are slight reductions".

Data for primary schools in North Yorkshire shows 22 permanent exclusions recorded in the 2024/25 academic year up to the end of June. This represents a decrease compared to the 25 permanent exclusions reported for the full 2023/24 academic year. Despite this recent drop, the figures are still substantially above the 5 permanent exclusions recorded in 2021/22.

Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education, Learning and Skills, highlighted that the rise in primary exclusions had been "gradual over the last few years" and that in most cases, primary schools have excluded only one child. Mr. Carlton provided context, stating these figures represent "about 20 to 25 children in over 200 primary schools".

"The numbers of primary permanent exclusions is worrying, but you have to look at that in a context of about 20 to 25 children in over 200 primary schools.

But the important bit is the preventative work we can now do to try and look at patterns and reducing that with schools so that work is underway.

Overall, comparing it to last year, we think there are slight reductions.

There was one particular school that did 14 to 15 permanent exclusions. We called that chief Executive and school in to make sure that they were held to account and I know changes have been made we keep a really close eye on this and we do challenge where we see anything happening" 

In response to these trends, local officers are identifying opportunities for collaboration with targeted schools to prevent exclusions, particularly for children with identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Councillor Wilkinson says a project is being developed to invite selected schools to work closely with the inclusion team,

"The rise in primary exclusions has been gradual over the last few years, and there are a number of reasons give up for exclusions. And in most cases, primary schools have excluded one child. However, in analyzing the end of year data, officers have started to see some opportunities to work with targeted schools to prevent the use of exclusion, and particularly for children with an identified send need.

We are developing a project that invites selected schools to work alongside the inclusion team, including educational psychologists. And we're also looking to increase the capacity and availability of preventative work across the county, and that's going to be available to all schools."

While primary school exclusions show a welcome, albeit slight, reduction this year, rates of permanent exclusions from secondary schools in North Yorkshire are reported as "very similar to recent years". As of the end of June in the 2024/25 academic year, there have been 89 permanent exclusions from secondary schools. T

The total number of permanent exclusions from North Yorkshire mainstream schools reached 111 in the 2024/25 academic year to the end of June, which is a slight increase from 110 at the same point in the 2023/24 academic year. This indicates that while primary exclusions have seen some reduction this year, overall permanent exclusion rates for mainstream schools across North Yorkshire remain high.

The overall number of children suspended (temporarily excluded) from schools across North Yorkshire remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. However, there is "some indication that the number of suspensions is beginning to slow or reduce". The number of suspensions in North Yorkshire increased by 18% from 2,609 in 2022/23 to 3,098 in 2023/24.

For the 2024/25 academic year, up to the end of June, 2,222 children were suspended from secondary schools, resulting in 7,754 separate suspensions, while 370 children were suspended from primary schools. This compares to 2,717 secondary and 378 primary suspensions at the same point last year, "suggesting that there will have been a reduction in total suspensions from secondary schools in this academic year".

The most common reason for suspensions in North Yorkshire remains persistent disruptive behaviour, accounting for 55% of all suspensions. Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour toward an adult is the second most common reason, making up approximately 16%.