Spring term 2021/22

Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England

Data guidance

Published

Description

This page describes the data included in the ‘Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England: Autumn term 2021/22’ National Statistics release’s underlying data files. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License (opens in a new tab) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data (opens in a new tab).

The publication methodology, available on the publication report, should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

This release provides information on exclusions in: 

  • state-funded primary schools
  • state-funded secondary schools
  • special schools (including non-maintained special schools)
  • pupil referral units

The information is based on data collected via the school census

File formats and conventions

Rounding 

This dataset has not had rounding or suppression applied. 

Conventions 

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data. 

‘z’ Not applicable.

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

Permanent exclusions and suspensions - by geography

Filename
exc_nat_region_la.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
headcountHeadcount
num_schoolsNumber of schools
one_plus_suspPupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_ratePupil enrolments with one or moresuspension (rate)
perm_exclPermanent exclusions
perm_excl_ratePermanent exclusions (rate)
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
susp_rateSuspension (rate)
suspensionSuspensions
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Permanent exclusions and suspensions - by reason

Filename
exc_reason.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions by reason for exclusion. Includes multiple reasons for exclusion from 2020/21.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
perm_abuse_disabilityPermanent - Abuse relating to disability
perm_abuse_disability_percPermanent - Abuse relating to disability (%)
perm_abuse_sex_genderPermanent - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity
perm_abuse_sex_gender_percPermanent - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity (%)
perm_allPermanent - All exclusions
perm_bullyingPermanent - Bullying
perm_bullying_percPermanent - Bullying (%)
perm_damagePermanent - Damage
perm_damage_percPermanent - Damage (%)
perm_drug_alcoholPermanent - Drug and alcohol related
perm_drug_alcohol_percPermanent - Drug and alcohol related (%)
perm_media_technologyPermanent - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology
perm_media_technology_percPermanent - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology (%)
perm_offensive_weaponPermanent - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item
perm_offensive_weapon_percPermanent - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item (%)
perm_otherPermanent - Other
perm_other_percPermanent - Other (%)
perm_persistent_disruptivePermanent - Persistent disruptive behaviour
perm_persistent_disruptive_percPermanent - Persistent disruptive behaviour (%)
perm_physical_adultPermanent - Physical assault against an adult
perm_physical_adult_percPermanent - Physical assault against an adult (%)
perm_physical_pupilsPermanent - Physical assault against a pupil
perm_physical_pupils_percPermanent - Physical assault against a pupil (%)
perm_public_healthPermanent - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures in place to protect public health
perm_public_health_percPermanent - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures in place to protect public health (%)
perm_racist_abusePermanent - Racist abuse
perm_racist_abuse_percPermanent - Racist abuse (%)
perm_sexual_misconductPermanent - Sexual misconduct
perm_sexual_misconduct_percPermanent - Sexual misconduct (%)
perm_theftPermanent - Theft
perm_theft_percPermanent - Theft (%)
perm_verbal_adultPermanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult
perm_verbal_adult_percPermanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult (%)
perm_verbal_pupilPermanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil
perm_verbal_pupil_percPermanent - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil (%)
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
susp_abuse_disabilitySuspension - Abuse relating to disability
susp_abuse_disability_percSuspension - Abuse relating to disability (%)
susp_abuse_sex_genderSuspension - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity
susp_abuse_sex_gender_percSuspension - Abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity (%)
susp_allSuspension - All exclusions
susp_bullyingSuspension - Bullying
susp_bullying_percSuspension - Bullying (%)
susp_damageSuspension - Damage
susp_damage_percSuspension - Damage (%)
susp_drug_alcoholSuspension - Drug and alcohol related
susp_drug_alcohol_percSuspension - Drug and alcohol related (%)
susp_media_technologySuspension - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology
susp_media_technology_percSuspension - Inappropriate use of social media or online technology (%)
susp_offensive_weaponSuspension - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item
susp_offensive_weapon_percSuspension - Use or threat of use of an offensive weapon or prohibited item (%)
susp_otherSuspension - Other
susp_other_percSuspension - Other (%)
susp_persistent_disruptiveSuspension - Persistent disruptive behaviour
susp_persistent_disruptive_percSuspension - Persistent disruptive behaviour (%)
susp_physical_adultSuspension - Physical assault against an adult
susp_physical_adult_percSuspension - Physical assault against an adult (%)
susp_physical_pupilsSuspension - Physical assault against a pupil
susp_physical_pupils_percSuspension - Physical assault against a pupil (%)
susp_public_healthSuspension - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures in place to protect public health
susp_public_health_percSuspension - Wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures in place to protect public health (%)
susp_racist_abuseSuspension - Racist abuse
susp_racist_abuse_percSuspension - Racist abuse (%)
susp_sexual_misconductSuspension - Sexual misconduct
susp_sexual_misconduct_percSuspension - Sexual misconduct (%)
susp_theftSuspension - Theft
susp_theft_percSuspension - Theft (%)
susp_verbal_adultSuspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult
susp_verbal_adult_percSuspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult (%)
susp_verbal_pupilSuspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil
susp_verbal_pupil_percSuspension - Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against a pupil (%)
Footnotes
  1. Prior to 2020/21, a single reason could be recorded for each permanent exclusion and suspension. From 2020/21, up to three reasons could be recorded. These reasons were recorded without weighting or prioritisation. As such, the sum of the number of reasons will not match the total number of permanent exclusions or suspensions from 2020/21.
  2. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Permanent exclusions and suspensions - pupil referral units

Filename
exc_pru.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension by term in pupil referral units.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
headcountHeadcount
num_schoolsNumber of schools
one_plus_suspPupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_ratePupil enrolments with one or more suspensionn (rate)
perm_exclPermanent exclusions
perm_excl_ratePermanent exclusions (rate)
susp_rateSuspension (rate)
suspensionSuspensions
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Suspensions - average number of suspensions and average days missed per pupil

Filename
exc_av_days_missed_susp.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Average number of suspensions and average days lost per suspended pupil.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
average_days_missed_suspAverage days missed per suspended pupil. (Number of days of suspension / pupils with one or more suspension).
average_number_suspAverage number of suspensions per excluded pupil. (Number of suspensions/ pupils with one or more suspension).
headcountHeadcount
num_schoolsNumber of schools
number_days_suspNumber of days of suspensions
one_plus_suspPupil enrolments with one or moresuspension
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special, Total
sessions_suspNumber of sessions of suspensions
suspensionSuspensions
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Suspensions - number of suspensions per pupil

Filename
exc_number_susp.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Number of pupils by the number of suspensions they have received.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
headcountNumber of pupils
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
suspensionNumber of suspensions
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Suspensions - total days missed per pupil

Filename
exc_days_missed_susp.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Number of pupil enrolments by total length of suspensions accrued across the academic year.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
days_missed_suspensionNumber of days missed to suspensions
headcountNumber of pupils
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Suspensions - duration of suspensions

Filename
exc_duration_suspension.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Number of suspensions by length of suspension in days

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
duration_days_suspDuration of suspension in days
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
suspensionNumber of suspensions
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Permanent exclusions and suspensions - school level

Filename
exc_school.csv
Geographic levels
School
Time period
2016/17 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension, broken down at school level. Includes trust name where applicable.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
headcountHeadcount
one_plus_suspPupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_ratePupil enrolments with one or moresuspension (rate)
perm_exclPermanent exclusions
perm_excl_ratePermanent exclusions (rate)
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
susp_rateSuspension (rate)
suspensionSuspensions
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.

Permanent exclusions and suspensions - by characteristics

Filename
exc_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2019/20 Autumn term to 2021/22 Spring term
Content

Termly number and percentage of permanent exclusions and suspensions and those pupils receiving one or more suspension by pupil characteristics. Includes breakdowns by age, gender, national curriculum year, ethnicity, Free School Meals and Special Educational Needs. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
breakdownPupil characteristic - Detail of age, gender, national curriculum year, ethnicity, fsm, SEN
headcountHeadcount
one_plus_suspPupil enrolments with one or more suspension
one_plus_susp_ratePupil enrolments with one or moresuspension (rate)
perm_exclPermanent exclusions
perm_excl_ratePermanent exclusions (rate)
school_typeSchool Type - State-funded primary, secondary and special
susp_rateSuspension (rate)
suspensionSuspensions
Footnotes
  1. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, while suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the academic year, pandemic restrictions will have had an impact on the numbers presented and caution should be taken when comparing across years.
  2. Total pupil headcounts are only available at spring term each year. Exclusion and suspension rates by ethnicity are therefore calculated based on pupil headcounts as at spring term for the academic year. For autumn 2021/22, the most recent headcounts available were at spring 2020/21. As a result, total headcounts by ethnicity will not sum to the same total as for other characteristics.