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Written question asked by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 May 2026 (named day). It was answered by Olivia Bailey (Labour) on Thursday, 28 May 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

School Exclusions

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of school exclusions on (i) children’s (a) long-term educational outcomes, (b) mental health and (c) contact with the criminal justice system and (ii) Black and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities; and if she will bring forward proposals to end the use of exclusions in state-funded schools.

Answer

The department regularly monitors trends in suspension and permanent exclusion rates for various pupil groups and undertakes regular reviews of the evidence concerning the long-term outcomes of pupils who have experienced a suspension or permanent exclusion. We are aware that there is an association with adverse life outcomes for pupils who have been excluded and are clear that any decision taken to exclude must be lawful, reasonable and fair.

In all cases, school leaders should consider early intervention strategies and multi-agency assessments to address the underlying causes or contributing factors towards a pupil’s disruptive behaviour before issuing an exclusion.

The department does not plan to end or ban the use of school exclusions, as it remains necessary in the most serious cases to maintain calm and safe school environments.

The Race Equality Unit will work with key stakeholder groups to interrogate the evidence on what drives disparities in school exclusions between different ethnic groups.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
389
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Children Crime Ethnic groups Pupil exclusions Pupils Mental health Special educational needs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk