Revealed: Top reasons for pupil exclusions in Lincolnshire

Sexual misconduct, racist abuse and assaults on teachers and support staff were among the reasons for the exclusion of nearly 3,300 schoolchildren in Lincolnshire in the last year.

New figures released by the Department for Education have shown that 3,299 pupils were either suspended or kicked out of primary, secondary and special schools for good in the 2013-2014 academic year.

The data separates those who have been permanently expelled and those who have been excluded from school for a set period of time.

The reasons for the permanent exclusion of Lincolnshire pupils in 2013-2014

The reasons for the temporary exclusion of Lincolnshire schoolchildren in 2013-2014

Persistent and disruptive behaviour was identified as one of the main reasons for the number of exclusions, with high numbers of temporary suspensions in secondary schools for assaults on pupils and verbal abuse of adults on site.

A smaller number were excluded for bullying and theft, with two primary or special schoolchildren suspended for sexual misconduct, three for drug and alcohol related transgressions and a further six for racist abuse.

Overall, there were 3,148 fixed-period exclusions in the county, with 2,407 from secondary schools, 558 from primary schools and 183 from special schools.

Nearly 2,000 of those suspended were repeat offenders, with an average of 4.28 days lost per excluded pupil in secondary schools, rising to over six days in special schools.

Of those permanently excluded, 36 came from primary schools and 108 from secondary schools in the county.

The numbers are similar to 2012-2013 which saw 43 primary kids and 107 secondary school pupils permanently excluded, and higher than the East Midlands average of 9 in 1,000 children expelled.

An additional seven children were permanently thrown out of special schools in Lincolnshire out of a total of 10 in the region.

John O’Connor, Children’s Services Manager at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “These figures are disappointing and unacceptable and we are working towards improving the situation in Lincolnshire.

“It’s important that children remain in their local school and are provided with a good education – permanent exclusion should be seen as a last resort.

“We have been working with schools to look at the root causes for exclusions and the kind of support schools tell us they need.

“As a result, a new Behaviour Outreach Support Service is being introduced for schools and with their commitment, we should see exclusions reduce across the county.”