Commenting as the government announces a new framework for behaviour and suspensions in schools, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said:

“Suspensions are nearly always a last resort and only used by schools when other responses have been tried first, or when the behaviour in question is serious enough to warrant such a response. Schools work incredibly hard to minimise suspensions.

“It is reassuring to note that it will still be down to head teachers to decide what form suspensions take as they know their schools and pupils best. They will know best what response is likely to have the best impact.

“Many schools already use internal suspensions as one of their tools for managing unacceptable behaviour and this framework could bring more consistency across schools. However, any suggestion that this should become the default position for all suspensions raises a range of important questions, including how schools will be able to supervise those and whether or not all schools have space to make that work.”