What's really behind the rise in school exclusions?: Points of View

Teachers Talk Radio · Aug 2, 2026 · 1h 21m

Permanent exclusions continue to rise across England, but why? Are schools dealing with the consequences of increasingly difficult home lives, weaker parental support and wider social problems? Or is the education system itself failing children through outdated classrooms, oversized classes and unrealistic expectations? Should exclusions remain a necessary last resort to protect learning, or are they evidence that mainstream education needs fundamental reform? Also on the show, A major new NFER report suggests social media, online bullying and worsening wellbeing may all be fuelling England's…