School suspensions and exclusions linked to racist, homophobic and ableist abuse in York reflects a wider climate in society, a teaching union official has claimed.
The abuse was listed as reasons in 204 suspensions and exclusions at state-run York schools between the autumn term in 2021-2 and the spring term in 2024-5.
It comes as analysis from the BBC’s Shared Data Unit showed there had been a 68 per cent rise in suspensions and exclusions linked to racism, homophobic and ableism between those dates.
There were almost 55,000 suspensions related to racism, 13,000 to homophobic or transphonic abuse and 1,600 to ableism.
The rise in abuse comes as anti-bullying charities have faced significant cuts in funding and contracts to put on workshops and sessions in schools, the BBC found.
In York, 152 suspensions and one exclusion was linked to racism, with 41 suspensions related to sexuality and ten connected with abuse over disabilities.
Almost a quarter, 23 per cent, of suspensions and exclusions were from primary schools with the rest related to secondary school pupils.
Michael Kearney, York district secretary for the National Education Union (NEU) said union members had reported a rise in abuse locally and welcomed schools’ efforts to tackle it.
He added the union would continue to protect its members, was working with York Pride and the NEU was currently running an anti-racism curriculum campaign.
Mr Kearney said: “No student should ever feel excluded for who they are, and no member of staff should face racism or homophobia simply for coming to work to support and inspire the next generation.
“Exclusion must always be a last resort, young people should be given the opportunity to understand the impact of their behaviour and to learn from it.
“However, the increase in racism, homophobia and ableism we are seeing in schools does not exist in isolation, it reflects a wider climate in society.
“When political rhetoric targets migrants, women, disabled people and LGBT+ communities as scapegoats for national challenges, it inevitably shapes the attitudes of young people.”
Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s education spokesperson, said the city’s schools were working hard to promote respect and kindness and were appropriately challenging discrimination.
He said: “We’ll continue to work with schools and partners across the city to ensure pupils are well informed about the importance of equality and respect and are supported to grow and develop as responsible citizens.”
A DfE spokesperson said the figures were shocking and racism and discrimination had no place in schools.
They said the government was providing expert support to turn things around in hundreds of schools facing the biggest behavioural challenges.
The spokesperson said: “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 at source and make sure all teachers have the clarity and confidence to act swiftly when they need to.”
