Expulsion Rates Soar as Schools Grapple with Rising Violence Among Students.
The Rise of Expulsions in Schools
The number of armed and dangerous youngsters being expelled from schools has been on the rise in recent years. According to the latest available data, in the 2022/23 school year, 686 students were expelled, compared to 7,763 in the 2020/21 school year.
Schools are becoming increasingly unsafe due to rising weapon carrying among students.
The NASUWT has called for a national conversation about the issue, and for the government to take action to address the problem.
The Rise of Weapon Carrying in Schools
The recent findings of a study on weapon carrying in schools have sparked widespread concern among educators and policymakers.
In 2019, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a park in London.
The Knife Crime Epidemic in England and Wales
The statistics are stark: 50,973 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument were recorded by police in England and Wales in the year to June. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, with a 10% rise in the number of reported knife crimes. The consequences of these crimes are devastating, with 255 people losing their lives to knife violence.
The Demographics of Knife Crime Victims
The victims of knife crime are disproportionately young. Over a third of those who died in the year to June were under the age of 25, while 10 were under the age of 16.
The State of Crime in the Country
The latest crime statistics reveal a concerning trend of rising crime rates across the country. According to the government spokesperson, the figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge this government has inherited on tackling crime and school suspensions. The data shows that:
The Impact on Schools
The statistics also reveal a concerning trend of rising school suspensions. The data shows that:
A Call to Action
The government spokesperson called on citizens to take an active role in addressing the root causes of crime and school suspensions.