The Hidden Epidemic of Isolation Rooms in England's Secondary Schools The number of secondary school students in England being removed from class and placed in "internal exclusion" has almost trebled in three years, according to data from Arbor.
This trend is not just a symptom of the more publicized debate around exclusions; it also speaks to deeper systemic problems within our education system.
From 5% in 2022/23 to 13% in 2025/26, the proportion of secondary pupils removed from normal lessons has increased significantly.