Record suspensions for sexual misconduct in English schools

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 14:19 · Archive

English schools suspended 7,278 pupils for sexual misconduct in 2024/25, the highest total since current recording began in 2020. This equates to almost 40 suspensions every school day and represents a 12 per cent rise from 6,479 suspensions in the previous year. The rise occurred despite the overall number of suspensions for all other reasons falling.

Shockingly, 20 children aged five or under were suspended for sexual misconduct, with 19 in reception year. Five children in the infant years were permanently expelled. Primary schools alone handed out 759 suspensions for sexual misconduct. Pupils aged 13 and 14 were the most frequent offenders, with 1,564 suspensions between them. Overall, 143 pupils were permanently excluded from school for sexual misconduct.

Suspensions in this category cover sexual assaults, abuse, harassment and lewd behaviour, whether aimed at classmates or staff. Schools can log up to three reasons for each suspension or exclusion. Ofsted has found sexual harassment normalised among schoolchildren. Christopher McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, told outlets the figures represent 'only the tip of the iceberg of misogyny in schools', stating that schools are 'no longer safe places for girls and for female teachers'.

How it is being reported

• Kids as young as five suspended for sexual misconduct with 40 pupils a day affectedSuspensions involving sexual misconduct rose 12% on the previous year's total, official figures showed.Metro · 25 Oct, 14:03
• Pupils as young as five suspended from school over sexual misconductPupils were suspended 7,278 times for sexual misconduct in the 2024/25 school year - the highest total since the current recording method began in 2020, Department for Education figures show.Daily Mail · 24 Oct, 22:02

In this story: Department for Education · Ofsted · Christopher McGovern · Campaign for Real Education · England

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem