Responding to new statistics on school suspensions and exclusions covering the 2022/23 autumn term, Rob Williams, senior policy advisor at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Exclusions are a last resort for schools, used when absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.

"Lots of the underlying issues children and young people face which can affect their behaviour - such as mental ill-health and poverty – are not within the gift of schools to directly address.

“However, school leaders are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of capacity in external support services to respond to these challenges in children’s lives.

“The government should be doing everything in its power to join-up policy decisions, and deliver better funding and support for schools which goes hand in hand with more investment in community support like social care and mental health.

"Doing so will help ensure all children benefit from the transformative power of a great education.”