High suspension rates raise council concerns

By Rufus Pickles and IW Observer

Concern over the Isle of Wight’s “horrendous” secondary school suspension rate was raised at County Hall last week, with councillors demanding answers and reassurances.

At Thursday’s children’s services, education and skills committee (CSESC), Councillor Joe Lever questioned the Island’s 26.9 per cent suspension rate for mainstream secondary pupils, asking: “What’s going on there; what’s not working?”

Committee chairman, Cllr Paul Brading, agreed, saying the figure “stands out like a sore thumb.” The council’s latest report showed a stark contrast between primary and secondary outcomes, with primary schools recording a suspension rate of just 3.27 per 100 pupils.

Cllr Lever recalled previous efforts to reduce suspensions, noting that rates had increased across all school types, particularly in secondary. Cllr Paul Fuller voiced concern that suspensions might be used as an “easy option” to remove disruptive pupils, especially during exam periods. He called for reassurance that exclusions were only used as a last resort.

Council officer Kay Jones, standing in for the director of children’s services, said attendance was addressing exclusions and alternative education arrangements. However, she admitted she did not have full details and promised a written response before the new school term.

The discussion comes amid wider concerns about school performance. While 75.68 per cent of primary schools are rated good or better by Ofsted, only half of secondary schools meet that benchmark. Ofsted stopped using overall effectiveness grades in September 2024, making direct comparisons more difficult.

The Island’s latest A-level grades also show that the Island has the worst results in the country, particularly at the higher grades needed to get into the best universities.

Councillors now await further clarification on how the council plans to tackle the Island’s rising suspension rates and support struggling pupils.