Background
Data from the Department of Education (2022) shows that, on average, 2,999 students were suspended or permanently excluded from school each school day in the 2021/22 academic year. Exclusions have continued to rise with the equivalent of 4,191 per day in 2022/2023.
Our research and why it is useful
To illustrate the impact of this number, a SPHR researcher has co-created a huge, crocheted blanket of 2,999 donated squares. Made with parents, children, schools and communities, the 9m x 8m blanket serves as a visual representation of the sheer volume of children who experience exclusion daily. Each square is unique – representing a single child with a story, life experiences and challenges. The blanket makes visible the scale of the problem, showing it in a physically tangible way.
Project 2,999 started as a small public involvement and engagement project as part of the Children, young people and families programme.
The blanket has now been awarded funding as part of a SPHR impact accelerator award to undertake a year-long tour of organisations and schools across England, making visible the negative impact of school exclusion.
As the blanket travels and is handled, the cumulative damage will visually represent the impact of being permanently excluded and moved from one school to another on the child and parent’s health and wellbeing.
As part of the tour, researchers will collect feedback, evidence and testimonials from the hosts and those who attend the events.
Real world impact
Blanket tour
The blanket is being hosted by 16 organisations as part of its tour. This includes influential events, conferences and public spaces.
- June 2024 – the final completed blanket was officially unveiled at Dr Sarah Martin-Denham’s annual SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators) conference at the University of Sunderland
- September 2024 – the London and North West teams at Power2 came together to welcome the Project 2,999 blanket
- November 2024 – North Tyneside Council hosted the blanket for an informative session with education colleagues and headteachers
- December 2024 – Sarah Martin-Denham, parents and headteachers presented the blanket to the office of Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s commissioner for England
- On Wednesday 19th November 2025, Dr Sarah Martin-Denham from Fuse and partners are excited to share learning from a proof-of-concept project in Sunderland at a special event in London. Find out more
Related news
- In April 2024, the blanket was the subject of a BBC Look North feature and linked news story
- Why excluded children are at the heart of giant patchwork blanket
- Excluded children at the heart of giant patchwork blanket
