A recent report has highlighted concerns about the treatment of children with special educational needs in schools. The Runnymede Trust, a racial justice charity, discovered a troubling trend of underdiagnosis of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) among students from minority ethnic backgrounds, particularly Black boys.
The report revealed that Black children, those with SEND, and students receiving free school meals are disproportionately represented in school suspensions and exclusions. Researchers expressed alarm that vulnerable pupils are often excluded from school in order to protect exam results, rather than addressing underlying issues such as unmet SEND needs, racial bias, or safeguarding failures.
In the academic year 2023/24, there were approximately 955,000 suspensions, marking a 21% increase from the previous year, with nearly 11,000 being permanent exclusions. Official data indicated that identified students with needs were over three times more likely to be suspended, while those eligible for free school meals were more than four times as likely compared to their peers.
The report also highlighted disparities in suspension rates among different ethnic groups, with White British pupils having an average rate of 13.69 per 100 students, while Black Caribbean and Mixed White and Black Caribbean pupils had rates of 15.63 and 20.63, respectively.
Racial bias and stereotypes were identified as contributing factors to the disproportionate exclusion of Black boys. Parents shared distressing accounts of their children being excluded for minor incidents, such as bringing a water pistol to school. These exclusions were described as criminalizing and traumatizing children, leaving lasting impacts on them and their families.
Dr. Shabna Begum, the chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, emphasized the detrimental effects of exclusions on children’s futures and called for a shift in the culture of exclusion in schools. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is planning to reform the SEND system to address these issues, while MPs have urged for better training for teachers in special educational needs and the implementation of national standards to address the crisis in the system.