SUSPENSION rates in schools across the district soared to the highest level on record in the last autumn term, new figures show.

Department for Education data reveals that 8.5 suspensions per 100 pupils were handed out by schools in Bradford district in the 2023-24 term.

This was up from 5.4 per 100 pupils the year before and was the highest figure since records began.

In the 2019-20 autumn term, before the pandemic, the suspension rate was just 2.9 per 100 pupils.

Nationally, the suspension rate soared to 4.1 per 100 last autumn – almost double the pre-pandemic rate of 2.2.

The statistics also showed the number of permanent exclusions nationally rose by more than a third in the last year, with 4,168 handed out, including 62 in Bradford district.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, expressed concerns.

He said: “There is clearly a very serious problem facing schools with rising incidents of challenging behaviour and in particular persistent disruptive behaviour, which is the most common reason for suspensions and permanent exclusions.

“This has become a great deal worse since the pandemic, when many children experienced disruption to their education and isolation.

“In many cases, schools simply do not have the resources to provide the level of specialist support required to prevent behavioural issues from escalating and so we see this ending up with suspensions and permanent exclusions being used as a last resort.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union the NAHT, said: “While schools do their best to help pupils, they alone are not equipped to address these issues.”

Education minister Stephen Morgan said the surge in suspensions spiralled out of control under the previous Tory Government.

He added: “We've reached crisis point, but this Government is determined to turn the tide on poor behaviour, break down barriers to opportunity and ensure every child can achieve and thrive.”

A Bradford Council spokesperson says: “It’s important for schools to be safe and calm so children can learn well and teachers can teach effectively.

“Schools work hard to encourage good behaviour and only suspend students when absolutely necessary.

“Most secondary schools in Bradford are academies, so aren’t run by the council.

“However, we still work with all schools to check how often suspensions happen and understand the reasons behind them.

“This way, we can see if schools need extra help to manage behaviour positively.”