You can see the schools in our region with the most suspensions using our special tool
Alsop High School, Walton.(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Almost 10 pupils a day are being suspended at one school in Liverpool, as new government figures reveal the schools getting tough on bad behaviour. A total of 1,874 suspensions were handed out at Alsop High School in Walton in the 2023/24 academic year, according to the latest figures from the Department for Education.
That works out as nearly 10 a day, based on a standard 190-day school year. It’s a higher number than at any other state-funded secondary school in Merseyside.
Dixons Fazakerley Academy had the next highest number with 1,501, which also works out at the equivalent of eight a day.
Dixons Broadgreen Academy had the third highest total with 1,464 (nearly a day), followed by King’s Leadership Academy, Liverpool with 778 (four a day), and The Sutton Academy in St Helens with 677 (nearly four a day).
You can see how the rate of suspensions at your local school using our special tool below.
As the school at the top of the suspensions list for our region, the ECHO reached out to Alsop High School to ask about the situation. In a statement, the school said: “Alsop High School joined Omega Multi Academy Trust in December 2018 under Academy Order having been judged by Ofsted to be Inadequate in all areas.
“The number of suspensions at that point were amongst the highest in the city, although it is important to note that Alsop is also the largest school in the City of Liverpool.
“Whilst the school was moved out of special measures by Ofsted in May 2023, the suspension rate reflected the behaviour challenges amongst a significant minority of students.
“Since that time, significant changes at the school, including the deployment of additional strong leadership capacity, have ensured standards continue to improve at pace. A new behaviour policy (Positive Behaviour) has been implemented, within which the use of suspensions is identified as a consequence for unacceptable behaviour, balanced heavily with huge investment in reward for those students who consistently behave well.
“That is not to say that suspensions are a measure we use lightly; they are a short-term sanction designed to create space for meaningful reflection, full reintegration, and support for the student involved in full consultation with parents through supportive reintegration planning meetings.”
The statement added: “We are unapologetic in raising our expectations when it comes to behaviour. High standards of behaviour are the bedrock of any successful school.”
The school said the “vast majority” of students had risen to the challenge and said as a result, behaviour at the school is now “very different.”
The statement added: “Visitors to our school, including several from the Local Authority and the Department for Education, report Alsop to feel calm and purposeful. Even within a culture of heightened expectations, the rate of suspensions was reduced considerably in 2024-25.
“Most importantly, staff and students are consistently reporting that behaviour across the school is improving rapidly. In recent student voice surveys, Alsop students tell us overwhelmingly, that they feel safe and are happier, a key factor in supporting improved attendance.”