London school exclusions fall 14% following Inclusion Charter

London's schools have recorded a 14 per cent decrease in exclusion rates over the last academic year, a significant improvement attributed to the city's Inclusion Charter. The initiative, launched in 2024 and supported by 30 London boroughs and numerous charities, has also led to a 7 per cent reduction in suspensions and a 2 per cent drop in absenteeism across the capital's schools. New data indicates that London's rates for suspensions and permanent exclusions are now half the national average.

Boroughs See Notable Reductions

Several boroughs have reported substantial improvements. Sutton, for instance, has experienced a 63 per cent decline in permanent exclusions since 2023. Wandsworth also saw its exclusion levels fall by a third. More than 730 schools, approximately a quarter of those in London, have formally adopted the charter, which outlines four core principles for fostering student inclusion. These principles include integrating diversity into the curriculum, empowering students to influence school policies, providing varied educational pathways for all learners, and promoting exposure to new experiences and perspectives.

Research Links Charter to Safety and Belonging

Research commissioned by the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and conducted by the University of Strathclyde suggests that pupils attending schools that uphold children's rights are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and safety. Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, stated that City Hall plans to share these findings with government ministers. He described the charter as a highly successful policy that contributes to safer schools and reduces the likelihood of young people becoming involved with criminal gangs.

City Hall is providing financial backing for schools implementing the charter through a £1.4 million investment in UNICEF UK’s Right’s Respecting Schools Award. This funding is specifically for state schools in London and will be available for the next two years. Lib Peck, Director of the VRU, emphasised that keeping young people in school and safe is a key component of the unit's strategy to reduce violence in London. She noted that while progress has been made, further efforts are needed to ensure no child is left behind or becomes vulnerable to violence.

The VRU, established in 2019, has undertaken over half a million targeted interventions and opportunities for young people. City Hall attributes the success of this preventative approach to a 15 per cent drop in knife crime across London in the past 12 months, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. The Department for Education has previously stated that school exclusions are essential behaviour management tools but also encourages creating environments where they are not necessary.

What Happens Next

City Hall will share the research findings and success metrics of the Inclusion Charter with government ministers. The £1.4 million investment in UNICEF UK’s Right’s Respecting Schools Award will continue to support London state schools for the next two years.