During the 2024/25 academic year, schools in England recorded 20,695 suspensions related to drug and alcohol offenses, according to data released by the Department for Education. These figures show a decrease of 16 percent from the previous year, when there were 24,554 such suspensions, yet they remain nearly double the 11,343 cases reported in 2020/21.

The data indicates that children as young as nine years old were among those suspended, with 145 primary school pupils affected. This group includes 33 students in Year 5 and 93 in Year 6. The majority of suspensions occurred among older students, with 274 exclusions recorded in Year 10, a critical stage as students prepare for their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations.

Overall, 614 students were formally excluded from school due to drug and alcohol-related issues, reflecting the more serious sanctions applied in individual cases. The figures highlight ongoing concerns regarding substance misuse among school-aged children and the challenges faced by educational institutions in managing related behaviors.

While the decline in suspensions from the previous year suggests some progress or changes in school disciplinary approaches, the sustained rise compared to rates from a few years ago points to a continuing need for effective interventions. Authorities and educators may consider these trends as they develop strategies aimed at preventing substance abuse among young people and reducing its impact on education and well-being.