Education specialists say cuts to anti-bullying initiatives in schools, plus wider societal issues, are driving a rise in exclusions linked to racist, homophobic and disability abuse.
Between 2020-21 and 2024-25 there were nearly 55,000 suspensions and hundreds of permanent exclusions linked to racist abuse at English schools. In West Berkshire, there were 164 total mentions of abuse linked to racism, sexuality, gender identity and disability.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
