School exclusions linked to racist, homophobic and disability abuse have climbed, and specialists say cuts to anti-bullying work and wider societal issues are driving the rise.
Between 2020-21 and 2024-25 there were nearly 55,000 suspensions and hundreds of permanent exclusions linked to racist abuse at English schools. Department for Education figures also show homophobic or transphobic abuse was logged more than 13,000 times and disability-related abuse about 1,600 times in the same period. The data shows a 68 per cent rise in mentions of abuse linked to race, gender identity, sexuality or disability between spring term 2021-22 and spring term 2024-25.
In West Berkshire there were 14,902 permanent exclusions and suspensions recorded in that time frame, and 164 mentions of abuse linked to racism, sexuality, gender identity and disability. Local figures break down as: racism 118, disability 13 and comments about sexuality 33. There were 21 exclusions at primary schools, 138 at secondary schools and five at special schools. Schools can record up to three reasons for each suspension, so the numbers do not equal individual pupils and the data does not give the exact number of children involved.
Experts and unions point to funding cuts for outreach and prevention, social media harms, divisive politics and a lack of mandatory teacher training. Charities also cite greater awareness and a higher use of suspensions. Many are calling for a consistent national strategy to record and tackle bullying and monitor when it is prejudice-based.
The Government described the data as "shocking".
Pepe Di'lasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said schools only exclude or suspend pupils as a "last resort" but would not tolerate discriminatory behaviour. Highlighting the influence of "inflammatory" social media content and "divisive rhetoric from some politicians and commentators". Di'lasio added: "The problems we are seeing are huge societal issues which cannot be solved solely in the classroom." "It feels as though we are living in an increasingly abrasive era."
Dr Greg Stride, from the Local Government Information Unit, said: "Councils' hands are tied." Mr Kingett said the reduction in "funding and prioritisation" meant fewer children are receiving anti-discrimination education.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
