The suspension rate for pupils in Buckinghamshire schools has soared to its highest level on record, new data shows. 

Figures from the Department for Education show there were 2.3 suspensions per 100 pupils in the 2023-24 autumn term. 

This was up from 1.7 per 100 pupils the year before and was the highest since records began in 2020-21.

Nationally the suspension rate also went up with 4.1 per 100 recorded last autumn, almost double the pre-pandemic 2.2 and two-fifths higher than the previous year.

The number of permanent exclusions nationally also rose by more than a third in the last year, with 4,168 handed out, including 17 in Buckinghamshire.

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Now the Association of School and College Leaders has warned that the 'whole system is teetering on the brink of collapse', adding that the issue has gotten worse since the pandemic. 

General secretary Pepe Di'lasio said: "There is clearly a very serious problem facing schools with rising incidents of challenging behaviour and in particular persistent disruptive behaviour, which is the most common reason for suspensions and permanent exclusions.

"This has become a great deal worse since the pandemic, where many children experienced disruption to their education and isolation that are continuing to have a lasting impact.

"In many cases, schools simply do not have the resources to provide the level of specialist support required to prevent behavioural issues from escalating and so we see this ending up with suspensions and permanent exclusions being used as a last resort."

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But education secretary Stephen Morgan said the surge in suspensions spiralled out of control under the Conservatives. 

He said: "We have reached crisis point, but this Government is determined to turn the tide on poor behaviour, break down barriers to opportunity and ensure every child can achieve and thrive.

"We’ve already announced a significant £1 billion investment in SEND, committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, and our new regional improvement teams will work with schools to spread the highest standards of behaviour across our classrooms.

"But we know there is more to do, and are looking closely at how we can go further to support teachers and drive up standards for all our children."