Number of primary pupils expelled after attacking a teacher doubles in 3 years

By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR Published: 19:26, 3 May 2026 | Updated: 19:26, 3 May 2026 The number of primary school children expelled for physically attacking a teacher or staff member has doubled in just three years. New analysis of Government data shows 281 primary pupils were permanently excluded in the spring term of 2025 due to physical assault against adults. This is a record high for any spring term, following a rise from just 138 in 2022. Overall, there were 558 permanent exclusions of primary-aged children last spring – also a record high – and a 35 per cent rise since 2019. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank, which conducted the analysis, said it highlighted a worsening 'behaviour crisis' in primary schools. It blamed a range of factors, including poor school readiness, too much screentime and deteriorating parental engagement. Daniel Lilley, head of youth at the CSJ, said: 'School exclusion rates in our primary schools are on an alarmingly upward trajectory, driven by a behaviour crisis that is depriving children of a safe, orderly learning environment. 'The current system is letting down everyone: the teachers who are fearful of coming into work, the pupils desperate for an education free from disruption, and the children who are excluded when earlier interventions would have put them on the right path.' The number of primary school children expelled for physically attacking a teacher or staff member has doubled in just three years (file picture) The data, the latest available, shows the number of pupils of all ages permanently excluded for physically assaulting an adult in school has risen from 339 in spring 2022 to 549 in spring 2025 – a 62 per cent increase. However, this has been driven by primary-aged pupils, as they represented the majority of cases in the latest year – followed by 245 for secondary-aged and 23 for those in special schools. This was in contrast to 2022, when the bulk of cases – 189 – were for secondary-aged. Physical assault towards adults was the reason for three in ten - or 28 per cent - of all primary school permanent exclusions. Meanwhile, 14 per cent were for physical assault towards children, and 13 per cent were for verbal abuse of adults. The CSJ analysis also examined suspensions, which are temporary exclusions from school for less serious offences. It found the number of primary school suspensions involving physical assault against an adult or pupil reached a spring record of over 24,000, rising by 10,000 since spring 2022 - an increase of 73 per cent. One headteacher, who asked to remain anonymous, told the CSJ: 'As a school leader, I'm increasingly hearing about serious violence in primary schools – sometimes involving children as young as five. 'I'm deeply concerned about the behavioural crisis now taking place in many classrooms across the country'. A primary school deputy head said: 'Some days are quite difficult with children getting so angry and frustrated that they hurt adults and children and damage equipment. 'It has felt worse over the last few years and I think since lockdown parents are struggling more too.' The CSJ called for an urgent review of behaviour in schools and support for parents around attendance and engagement. A Department for Education spokesman said: 'This data shows the scale of the challenge we inherited, but teachers are already reporting significant improvements. 'From our free breakfast clubs to get children settled, to improved teacher training, to clearer guidance on the use of suspensions, we are taking steps to tackle poor behaviour.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.