Hampshire pupils affected as suspensions hit record high

Basingstoke parent Sophie Cavanagh has seen her son Casper, eight, experience a high rate of suspensions as schools 'haven't been able to meet his needs'.

Casper has had eight suspensions in the past academic year due to physical behavioural issues related to suspected attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Sophie said: "He doesn't realise when he goes into these fits and rages, but then, when he sees what happens, when he sees the injuries that are inflicted, he cries because he's come to the realisation that he has done that." 

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Casper with his younger sister (Image: Sophie Cavanagh)

The mother of two told the Gazette that she understands the reasons for his suspensions, as schools have to safeguard staff. 

She continued: "As amazing as they were, their hands were just tied."

Sophie explained that despite her son receiving support from the school, with five one-to-ones assigned to help Casper, he 'couldn't handle the size of mainstream schools'.

The youngster, who is entering Year 4, regularly sat in the corridor area in primary school to avoid the classroom, but as the corridor was a communal area, this raised issues as Casper became 'threatened if other children came into his space'.

Casper attended the school, which the Gazette is not naming, on a reduced timetable, which meant that in addition to his suspensions, he was missing 'huge chunks' of learning.

Sophie, who is also mother to Josie, five, said: "I've had to reduce from full-time to part-time work, I've had to take unpaid time off and lose money which has had an impact on how I care for provide for them."

She said she felt like she was 'left to deal with it', having to fight for Casper to receive placement at a special school - better suited to accommodate his needs, which he will start in September.

She concluded: "The whole system needs a reshuffle."

Casper is one of 6,589 children across Hampshire who have faced one or more suspensions in the 2022/2023 academic year, a rise from 4,916 the year prior.

The data, published in a Government report on Thursday, July 18, shows that suspensions in Hampshire have hit a record high in the last academic year, increasing by more than 53 per cent.

Children as young as four have seen an increase in suspensions of more than 78 per cent, with 175 suspensions for those aged four and under compared to 98 suspensions the previous year.

The rise follows a national trend with suspensions across England rising by 36 per cent and permanent exclusions rising by 44 per cent respectively.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said the figures 'should be a deep concern to everyone involved in education'.

He added: "Schools work incredibly hard to support children and use suspensions and exclusions as a last resort, but they cannot be expected to address the full range of complex root causes that can often lead to disruptive behaviour in the classroom."

In England, persistent disruptive behaviour accounted for 48 per cent of all reasons given for suspensions.

However, many have cited more complex reasons that may be behind the rise, including levels of mental health in children and an increase in children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).

In Hampshire, SEND children made up more than 50 per cent of suspensions, despite making up just 18 per cent of all pupils in the county.

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A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said that the rise in figures was due to the 2021/2022 academic year marking the first year after the Covid-19 pandemic when pupils made a full return to school.

They added that the cost-of-living crisis and a 'steady increase' in the level of special educational needs over the past few years 'have all contributed to a significant rise in the challenges facing children, families and schools'.

The spokesperson continued: "The rate of suspensions in Hampshire continues to remain below the national average but has followed the national trend, increasing from 2021 to 2023.

"We are focusing closely on this issue, and it is worth noting that, while suspensions have increased, the number of permanent exclusions has been successfully reduced within the same period.

“In response, Hampshire schools have worked extremely hard to support young people and children who found the post-pandemic return to full-time education difficult and to meet the increasingly wide range of needs.

“The local authority is fully supporting schools in this. This support includes a range of specialist services, working with school-based professionals, parents/carers and children to support positive behaviour.

"This takes the form of training, consultation and direct work with children provided by SEN advisors, educational psychologists, and specialist advisory teachers. 

"We also work closely with families, schools and health, to ensure that all children have access to education. 

“In addition, directly aimed at improving educational engagement and inclusion, our transformation programme is helping schools ensure they can meet the needs of learners with special educational needs and disabilities, giving them the same opportunities as their peers.

"Where issues arise, we are committed to working closely with the families concerned to resolve challenges as far as possible.”