New research warns that children who are excluded in primary school are less likely to pass GCSEs, UK News reports

Charity Chance UK has recently conducted a study that sheds light on the long-term impacts of children being excluded or suspended in primary school. The findings reveal a concerning trend, with almost all pupils excluded at that age having a special education need or disability.

According to the research, the majority of children excluded in primary school struggle academically, with many failing to pass their GCSEs in English and Maths. The study, which tracked various year groups and included data from 3.2 million pupils in England, found that 97% of those excluded at primary school had a special educational need or disability.

One parent, Mary-Anne, shared her experience of her son being excluded at the young age of five due to his ADHD. She expressed frustration with the lack of support from schools and the immediate referral to a pupil referral unit. Mary-Anne highlighted the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for her son’s behavior rather than labeling him as “naughty.”

The study also revealed that more than 22,000 children aged six and under were excluded or suspended in primary schools in England in 2022. Teaching unions have raised concerns about the worsening behavior in classrooms, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Chance UK, a charity that provides mentorship to children with behavioral and emotional difficulties, is calling on the government for additional funding for specialist support in primary schools. The Department for Education has acknowledged the issue and emphasized the importance of early intervention to prevent exclusions.