Pupils as young as five are among record numbers suspended for sexual misconduct in England's schools

Twenty children who were five or old were suspended for sexual misconduct in 2024/25, 19 of them in reception. Department for Education figures show 7,278 such suspensions — nearly 40 every school day — up 12 per cent from 6,479, even as suspensions for other reasons declined. Christopher McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, warned schools are 'no longer safe places for girls'.

Pupils aged 13 and 14 recorded the highest totals, accounting for 1,564 suspensions between them.

Across the year, 143 pupils were permanently excluded, among them five from primary schools.

Ofsted has found sexual harassment 'normalised', and teachers blame influencers like Andrew Tate.