THE suspension rate for pupils in schools across the town soared to the highest level on record in the last autumn term, latest figures have revealed.
Department for Education figures show 10.6 suspensions per 100 pupils were handed out by schools in Barnsley in the 2023/24 autumn term.
This was up from 7.4 per 100 pupils the year before and was the highest figure on record.
In the 2019/20 autumn term, before the Covid-19 pandemic, the suspension rate was just 3.5 per 100 pupils.
Comparable local records began in 2016/17.
Nationally, the suspension rate soared to 4.1 per 100 last autumn - almost double the pre-pandemic rate of 2.2.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, 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, where many children experienced disruption to their education and isolation that are continuing to have a lasting impact.
“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.”
The figures also showed the number of permanent exclusions nationally rose by more than a third in the last year, with 4,168 handed out, including 50 in Barnsley.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union the NAHT, said: “While schools do their best to help pupils, they alone are not equipped to address these issues.
“But vital services like social care, children’s mental health and special educational needs provision have been cut or failed to keep pace with demand over the last decade.
“More investment in community support is needed, including the behaviour support teams which used to offer specialist help to young people but now need rebuilding.”
Coun Trevor Cave, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, said: “We know that rising suspensions in schools is not unique to Barnsley, and is an issue we're seeing nationally.
“However, since this data was captured in autumn 2023, we are now seeing an improved picture across our schools with recent data showing a reduction in the amount of exclusions.
"We understand the impact not being in school due to exclusions has on young people, and we want pupils to be in school every day.
“This is a key priority for Barnsley.
“We want children and young people to thrive in their education and attend every day.
"Through the Barnsley School Alliance, we are working in close partnership with all our schools and academies to address issues leading to school suspensions.
“Extensive work is taking place with school leaders and chief executives from multi academy trusts to ensure keeping children involved with education is at the front and centre of their practice."
