Overview

• FOI data show 15,191 suspensions for racist behaviour in the last academic year, averaging about 80 incidents each school day and up from 11,619 and 9,452 in the two preceding years.
• Primary-age pupils accounted for 2,485 suspensions, with five cases involving Reception children aged around four.
• Reported behaviour ranges from racist language to physical assaults and race-hate vandalism, with older pupils also disciplined for posts on social media.
• The Department for Education says racism has no place in schools and points to attendance and behaviour hubs alongside wider plans for breakfast clubs and mental health support.
• Permanent exclusions for racist behaviour rose to 70, and post-2020 recording rules that allow multiple reasons per sanction may have increased recorded totals.