New evidence suggests the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is making a measurable impact on school safety, attendance and inclusion, with suspension and exclusion rates across the capital now sitting at half the national average.
A year after the full implementation of London’s Inclusion Charter, newly released data points to significant progress in reducing persistent absenteeism, suspensions and exclusions across London schools. The findings strengthen the case for early intervention and prevention strategies as part of efforts to tackle youth violence and improve educational outcomes.
The Charter, launched by the VRU in February 2024 and backed by 30 London boroughs alongside 30 national charities, was developed in response to rising rates of school absence and exclusion. Its core aim is to keep more children engaged in education, reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence.
The latest figures show:
- A 14% reduction in permanent exclusions during the last academic year.
- A 7% fall in suspensions.
- A 2% decrease in persistent absenteeism.
- School suspension and exclusion rates across London are now around half the national average.
The progress comes as evidence continues to demonstrate the link between exclusion and serious youth violence, with young people twice as likely to become involved in violence during the first year after being permanently excluded from school.
Areas that have fully adopted the principles of the Inclusion Charter and participated in multiple VRU-funded initiatives have seen particularly strong improvements.
In Sutton, comparing the most recent academic year with 2022/23 before the Charter was introduced:
- Permanent exclusions fell by 63%.
- Suspensions reduced by 22%.
- Persistent absence dropped by 18%.
Meanwhile:
- Lewisham recorded an 11% reduction in suspensions and a similar fall in persistent absence.
- Wandsworth saw permanent exclusions fall by one-third, suspensions decline by 5%, and persistent absenteeism reduce by 12%.
A central element of the Charter is a £1.4 million investment in UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Award programme.
The funding has enabled all state-funded schools in London to access resources and support free of charge to embed children's rights throughout school policies, leadership and daily practice.
More than 730 schools have already signed up, reaching over 360,000 pupils across the capital.
Independent research conducted by the University of Strathclyde on behalf of the VRU assessed the programme's impact over a 12-month period. The evaluation involved nearly 2,000 pupils and staff from primary and secondary schools.
Researchers found that schools which had fully embraced the rights-respecting model reported:
- Greater feelings of safety among pupils.
- A stronger sense of belonging.
- Improved relationships between students and staff.
- Higher levels of student voice and engagement.
- Stronger safeguarding outcomes.
The study also found that clear expectations, consistent rules and appropriate consequences contributed positively to behaviour and attitudes among pupils in participating schools.
The children's rights programme forms part of the VRU’s wider £16 million investment in targeted interventions designed to reduce lost learning and keep young people engaged in education.
Other initiatives include:
- Oracy programmes in primary schools, where monitoring data showed 96% of participating children narrowed communication gaps with peers.
- Mentoring projects delivered in pupil referral units across every London borough, supporting around 2,200 young people and contributing to improved attendance rates.
The broader approach aligns with the Mayor's commitment to tackling violence through prevention and public health measures. Since its launch seven years ago, the VRU has invested in more than half a million targeted interventions and opportunities for young people.
According to Office for National Statistics figures, knife crime in London has fallen by 15% over the past 12 months, providing further evidence that early intervention approaches are helping improve outcomes for young people.
To mark the publication of the latest findings, the Mayor and senior VRU leaders visited St Augustine's School in Kilburn alongside UNICEF UK representatives to see the programme in action.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“I firmly believe that the best way to keep our young people safe and give them the best possible start in life is to keep them in school. Evidence shows why that’s crucial, with young people twice as likely to be involved in violence after being excluded.
“It’s why my Violence Reduction Unit has invested so much into London’s Inclusion Charter and it’s pleasing to see exclusion and suspension rates drop to half the national average.
“Our investment and partnership with UNICEF UK shows that when we invest in children’s rights and support London’s hardworking teachers with the right tools, we create classrooms where young people feel safe, feel they belong and can thrive. I urge more schools to take advantage of this game-changing offer as we continue to build a safer, fairer London for everyone.”
For education leaders, local authorities and policymakers, the findings provide growing evidence that inclusive school environments can deliver measurable improvements in attendance, behaviour and safeguarding outcomes. The results also reinforce the wider benefits of integrating public health approaches into violence reduction strategies, with schools increasingly recognised as critical partners in prevention and early intervention work.
Image credit: iStock
