More than 2,400 pupil suspension days across secondary schools in 23/24

Increases this academic year at St Ninians but drops at three other schools

More than 2,400 combined days of suspension for pupils have been issued at Manx secondary schools during the 2023/24 academic year so far.

That's according to figures from the Minister for Education, Sport & Culture Daphne Caine in response this week to a written question from Douglas North MHK, David Ashford on the matter.

The school with the highest number of suspension days so far this year is Ballakermeen High School of 1,123 between 200 pupils.

St Ninian's has recorded 763 days, an increase from 621.5 in 2022/23 - There's been a decrease at Ramsey Grammar School at 253, down from 598.5 in 2022/23.

Currently, there has also been a drop in suspension days at both Castle Rushen High School and QEII High School.

The Castletown institution has issued 203 suspension days so far in this academic year compared to 213 in 2022/23.

Peel-based QEII has recorded 89.5 days for 2023/24, down from 134 in the previous academic year.

DESC says its suspension policy states in 'the normal course of events, there is an obligation on the school to provide means and resources for the continuation of the learning process (in whatever form that may take) for suspended pupils during this time.'

As a result, the department does not consider formal suspensions as formal days of learning lost.