Record 130 pupils per day suspended over drink, drug and smoking rules in UK schools

A record average of 130 pupils per day were suspended from UK schools during the 2023-24 year for drink, drug or smoking offences, according to Department for Education data released Friday.

In the year to July 2024, authorities logged 24,554 suspensions and 742 expulsions. Offenses range from attending lessons under the influence of alcohol or drugs to dealing drugs, abusing prescription medications or being repeatedly caught smoking. Some of those disciplined were as young as six.

This equates to about 130 suspensions and four expulsions per day, based on a 190-day school year, and represents an 8% rise over the 24 months ending July 2022. The 150 local education authorities that supplied figures show wide variation across regions, with Essex at the top of the table and London boroughs among the less impacted areas.

Across the 150 authorities, Essex logged 889 suspensions and 27 expulsions, followed by Hampshire with 812 suspensions (four expulsions), Kent with 654 (11 expulsions), Surrey with 594 (13 expulsions) and Hertfordshire with 580 (5 expulsions).

In the Midlands, Staffordshire recorded 487 suspensions and 20 expulsions; in the North, Lancashire had 468 suspensions and 38 expulsions, and North Yorkshire logged 464 suspensions and 11 expulsions. In the West Country, Somerset reported 460 suspensions and eight expulsions, while Devon had 447 suspensions and seven expulsions. In London, Croydon led with 241 suspensions (three expulsions) and Barnet followed with 179 suspensions (two expulsions).

The data were released by the Department for Education and reflect the ongoing challenge of maintaining classroom order amid broader social trends. Christopher McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, described the figures as a stark indicator of a broader breakdown in discipline, saying the data are only the tip of the iceberg and that many cases go undetected or unreported by schools. He argued the teaching profession is increasingly ill-equipped to cope with rising behavioural problems.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "Drugs and alcohol have absolutely no place in our schools and we will always support our hard-working teachers to provide safe and calm classrooms." The department noted ongoing efforts, including a comprehensive programme with new attendance and behaviour hubs intended to target schools with the highest need.