School suspensions rise sharply among disadvantaged children in England

Analysis shows that since the pandemic those living in poverty were 3.7 times more likely to be sent home than other pupils

Increasing numbers of children from poor backgrounds are being suspended from schools in England since the pandemic, according to analysis that estimates more than 3,000 pupils were sent home every day.

The analysis was published as teachers, who took part in a separate survey, said verbal and physical abuse from pupils has increased significantly" post-pandemic, with some having furniture thrown at them, being bitten, spat at, head-butted, punched and kicked.