Crime & Justice
English schools see first drop in suspensions since pandemic amid new smartphone ban and rising SEND support
July 13, 2026 at 06:00 PM
Coverage
5 reports · over 338 hours
BNBBC News
School suspensions fall in England for the first time since Covid
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Pupil put in isolation booth for more than half a school year, BBC learns
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
White working-class children failed by education system, says inquiry
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
A smartphone ban in English schools is coming into force. What's changing?
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Number of children getting special educational needs support hits another record high
(opens the publisher’s site)New data and reports show a 4% fall in suspensions, a record increase in special needs support, and the introduction of a legal smartphone ban.
- School suspensions in England fell by 4% in 2024/25 to 913,000, the first annual decline since the pandemic, while permanent exclusions dropped 9%.
- An independent inquiry concluded the education system is failing white working-class children and recommended 24 reforms, including expanded apprenticeships and free local transport for under-21s.
- A smartphone ban in schools came into force on 29 June, legally requiring head teachers to ensure phone-free environments during the school day.
- The number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) rose by 12.5% to a record 700,000, the highest yearly increase since the system began.