Hillingdon cuts school exclusions by 23 percent as national rates rise

Hillingdon has reduced permanent school exclusions by almost a quarter in the past year, bucking a national trend of rising rates. The borough recorded 33 permanent exclusions in 2024/25, down from 43 the previous year, according to figures released by Hillingdon Council. Suspensions also fell by nine percent, with 1,977 pupils affected across the borough’s 56,000-strong school population.

The decline contrasts with national data, which shows sharp increases in both exclusions and suspensions. Hillingdon’s figures now sit below the national average, a shift attributed to changes in how schools manage behaviour. One school, Northwood School, has avoided permanent exclusions entirely for three years, using alternative methods to address disruptions.

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Therapeutic approaches replace sanctions

Northwood School head teacher Mehul Shah said the school has not permanently excluded any pupil since 2022. Instead, staff use a system called ‘therapeutic thinking’ to manage defiance. When a pupil refuses to cooperate, teachers focus on de-escalation rather than confrontation. Shah told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that shouting or pursuing a defiant child often worsens the situation.

You don’t elevate a situation when a child is saying no. You don’t chase after them. You don’t shout even more at them because they’re not in a state where they can respond positively.

Mehul Shah, head teacher, Northwood School

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The school has also introduced a ‘green room’ for pupils with special educational needs. The space allows students to step away from overstimulation before behaviour escalates to the point of sanction. Shah said poor behaviour often emerges when pupils are overwhelmed by their surroundings. The approach aims to prevent disruptions before they require formal intervention.

Reasons for exclusions shift

Disruptive behaviour has become the leading cause of permanent exclusions in Hillingdon, replacing physical assault and substance use as the primary reason. The council’s data shows a decline in exclusions linked to violence or drugs, while persistent disruption now accounts for the majority of cases. Shah said exclusions are still considered when a pupil’s presence risks the safety or learning environment of others.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the decision to exclude is based on whether the rest of the school community can work without hindrance. If a pupil’s behaviour threatens that environment, exclusion may still be used as a last resort. The council has not announced changes to its exclusion policy, but the decline in numbers suggests a broader shift in how schools handle behaviour.

What happens next

Hillingdon Council has not released details of further measures to reduce exclusions. The council’s figures for 2024/25 are final, but schools will continue to monitor behaviour trends. Northwood School’s approach remains voluntary, with no requirement for other schools to adopt similar methods. Parents or residents seeking information on exclusions can request data from the council’s education department.