25 per cent rise in primary school exclusions for attacking adults

7,550 secondary school pupils were excluded for the same reason, with 290 being permanently excluded for attacking staff, representing an increase of 11 per cent from the year before. The figures also show a rise in suspensions for racist abuse, which are up by 15.6 per cent.

School Minister Nick Gibb said that the figures reflect the fact that head teachers now have greater powers and more confidence to exclude students. He said: "The government is determined to create a school system where every child feels safe and is able to work and study hard without disruption.

"We have given headteachers more powers to tackle poor behaviour and have ensured they have the confidence to exclude pupils when this is necessary."

Gibb added: ”Today's figures show a slight increase in the number of fixed period and permanent exclusions, although overall they are lower than in 2010.

”The new freedoms and greater clarity over exclusions given to headteachers is having a positive impact on behaviour.”

In response to the statistics, Kevin Courtney, Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “While, clearly behaviour issues have to be addressed for the sake of the whole school community, there is no quick fix.

“Schools’ ability to manage particularly difficult cases has been adversely affected by cuts to local authority budgets, in particular Behaviour Support Services, and the fragmentation of the school system into academy and free schools.

“Narrowing the school curriculum, the reduction in creative subjects and the removal of some play times for primary pupils may all be factors affecting behaviour in schools. These issues need to be addressed to ensure that all pupils are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

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