Why it matters: The 37% increase reflects what experts are calling a "crisis of bad behaviour disrupting classrooms."
The big picture: England recorded about 955,000 suspensions in the 2023-24 academic year – the highest on record. Permanent exclusions also reached a record level, with 10,900 recorded nationally, including 179 in Suffolk.
The Department for Education figures show Suffolk had a rate of 14.6 suspensions per 100 pupils last year, with records dating back to 2006-07.
The reality on the ground: The statistics come shortly after teachers at Westbourne Academy walked out on strike in May, with science teacher Sophie Walker telling the BBC: "Teachers are having chairs and scissors thrown at them, and many are struggling with their mental health."
Marc Emmanuel, who has taught English at the school for 24 years, described pupils "running down the corridors for up to five hours a day" and "throwing bottles full of water into classrooms".
Who's most affected: The figures revealed stark disparities in suspension rates. Suffolk recorded 37 suspensions per 100 pupils on free school meals – 4.5 times the rate for pupils not receiving free meals. Children with special educational needs faced even higher rates, with 43.3 suspensions per 100 pupils – 4.8 times higher than those without support.
What they're saying: Beth Prescott from the Centre for Social Justice think tank said: "There is a crisis of bad behaviour disrupting classrooms. Government and schools have an important role to play, but our research shows that parents also need to up their game and take responsibility for their children's behaviour in class."
Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, warned that many reasons behind disruptive behaviour "lie beyond the school gates" and have "their roots in wider challenges".
He said schools need "back-up in the shape of additional investment in vital services like social care, children's mental health, behaviour support teams, and special educational needs provision".
What's next: Education minister Stephen Morgan said the government's Plan for Change is tackling poor behaviour by providing mental health support in schools, expanding free school meals, and launching attendance and behaviour hubs.
The bottom line: Suffolk's record suspension figures highlight a deepening crisis in classroom behaviour that experts say requires coordinated action from schools, parents, and government to address underlying social challenges affecting children's education.
