Children as young as five kicked out of class as almost 100 primary pupils are suspended EVERY DAY for

assaults on teachers and classmates

Thousands are sent home for verbal abuse or threatening behaviour 120 pupils expelled for assaulting classmates and 200 for assaulting staff Department of Education figures reveal statistics for 2011/12 school year
By Helen Lawson PUBLISHED: 18:09, 25 July 2013 | UPDATED: 18:09, 25 July 2013

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Almost 100 primary pupils are suspended each school day for assaulting their teachers and classmates, according to official figures. Children as young as five are increasingly being ordered out of the classroom after attacking school staff, Government data shows. Thousands more are being sent home for verbal abuse or threatening behaviour.

Children as young as five are increasingly being ordered out of the classroom after attacking school staff and their fellow pupils, according to Governm ent data (file photo)

The statistics, published by the Department for Education, reveal the state of behaviour in England's schools in 2011/12, and suggest a worsening situation in primaries. Pupils aged between five and 11 were suspended 9,120 times for physically assaulting another pupil last year, the figures show, down marginally from 9,160 times in 2010/11. But there was an increase in the number of times pupils of this age were suspended for assaulting an adult - 8,630 occasions in total, compared to 7,830 the year before. It means that the equivalent to 93 primary-age pupils were suspended on any given school day in 2011/12 for physical assault, such as violent behaviour, obstruction, wounding and fighting, according to an analysis of the statistics. Primary school pupils were also expelled on 120 occasions for assaulting a classmate - up from 90 the year before, and 200 times for assaulting staff, the same as in 2010/11. The figures show that primary schools were forced to temporarily bar pupils aged 11 and under from lessons 6,200 times for verbal abuse and threatening behaviour such as being aggressive, carrying a weapon, homophobic abuse and harassment, swearing, threatening violence and intimidation. This is equivalent to almost 33 primary pupils being suspended on any given day for these reasons. It is a slight improvement on 2010/11, when pupils were suspended on 6,320 occasions. The figures show that the number one reason that primary schools suspend a child - 9,770 times last year - is for being challenging, disobedience, or continually violating school rules - known as persistent disruptive behaviour.

Prim ary school pupils w ere also expelled on 120 occasions for assaulting a classm ate - up from 90 the year before (file photo)

Others were sent home for bullying, racist abuse, sexual misconduct, drugs and alcohol, damage and theft. The picture was different in England's secondary schools, where there was a drop across the board in suspensions, the figures show. A DfE spokeswoman said: 'Heads now have more power than ever before to ensure strong discipline in the classroom. 'We have introduced new search powers, no-notice detentions, and have ensured heads' decisions on expulsions cannot be overruled. 'The Government is tackling the causes of exclusion by improving the quality of teaching, raising standards in literacy and numeracy, tackling disadvantage through the Pupil Premium, overhauling the special educational needs system and making radical improvements to alternative provision.' FROM THE WEB
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Comments (16)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View newest 10 I suppose you could fine the parents but you'd evidence so would have to record everywhere all the time, with sound... I suppose if you were working and have to take time off if likes a fine anyhow... I can't really see any way to fix things, other than a good, SHARP, SHORT LOUD TELLING OFF. - PrivateSi, WORCS, 25/7/2013 19:55 Click to rate Report abuse These kids personalities are usually in place by the time they go to school at 5 and so teachers have an impossible task of trying to change them. There was a scheme in Liverpool years ago called .... first time parent visiting. It involved an experienced Health Visitor with good communication skills to have intensive visits with first time mums. It's ethos was to ingrain good parenting practice.... eg , how important it is not give in to tantrums etc. Yes, more money, but well spent if it prevents kids becoming career criminals. - Kat, wirral, United Kingdom, 25/7/2013 19:46 Click to rate Report abuse You gotta fear for the future of Britain. - Colin1992, Kent, United Kingdom, 25/7/2013 19:39 Click to rate Report abuse At that age you can only blame the parents, and these are probably the same kids that can't read or write. Teachers Rating 17 Rating 8 Rating 6

should not have to put up with this or the other pupils - Eggplant, Kent, 25/7/2013 19:39 Click to rate Report abuse If you have seen my neighbours, you would understand that it is the parents' fault most of the time. Children are blank canvas and they reflect the environment they are brought up in. Of course, there are ADHD and autistic children and I am not denying that. Most bad behaviours stem from bad parenting or no parenting at all! - umm ..., nowhere, 25/7/2013 19:39 Click to rate Report abuse Very sad result of our current society. I was surprised at how young these hooligans are. Something is wrong. - foxie, Washington State, United States, 25/7/2013 19:39 Click to rate Report abuse Parents parents parents - me, manchester, 25/7/2013 19:38 Click to rate Report abuse Education always starts at home. - Moe, Glasgow, 25/7/2013 19:36 Click to rate Report abuse But if its your child being bullied and you dare to broach the subject with the school they deny all knowledge and use the same spin of "we have a zero tolerance.... blah blah blah". But if they spot the bullying themselves they want a medal and a pay rise. I once had a primary school teacher tell me if he didn't SEE my child being assaulted there was nothing that could be done !!! But he could see my sons black eye and split lip. How did he think he got them? Drawing with crayons :( Yes I blame parents but I blame teachers too - MrsRB, North Yorkshire, 25/7/2013 19:33 Click to rate Report abuse sorry but you really have to blame the Vicky Pollards of this world who have had children for the money that they want and the houses they demand..they shout abuse at their children have no interest whatsoever with phones attached to their ears........they have no morals and no wonder the children are as they are. - disheartened, dorset, United Kingdom, 25/7/2013 19:33 Click to rate Report abuse I blame the parents for their childrens unacceptable behavior. Children are not born 'bad' and lead by example. If they are Rating 18 Rating 7 Rating 19 Rating 15 Rating 11 Rating 19 Rating 17

not shown how to behave properly at home then they will be naughty and run riot at school. Sadly some parents seem think that raising a child is easy when infact it is 24/7 hard work! Would also help if some parents were actually intelligent enough to know how difficult a teachers job is. Teachers are there to educate not to do the job of a parent! - YorkiePud, Leeds, 25/7/2013 19:22 Click to rate Report abuse Well that`s a surprise isn`t it...next they`ll tell us the World is round !!! You could see this coming years ago but of course it will take quite a few more meetings between the police, education authorities, governments, social workers, parents, do-gooders and anyone else who may like to add their voice to the pile of excuses already made and which will hinder the only obvious remedy !! - Beejays, Portsmouth, 25/7/2013 19:22 Click to rate Report abuse Prosecute the parents, who should be held responsible for the behaviour of their children anyway. - Ken, Northamptonshire, 25/7/2013 19:17 Click to rate Report abuse Children regularly tell me "that's nothing compared to what we see and hear in school." :( :( - Zeena, Triangle de, Bermuda, 25/7/2013 19:10 Click to rate Report abuse Councils will do anything to keep their exclusion rates down. These figures will not be accurate. I say this as a teacher. Schools need to adopt a zero tolerance attitude towards misbehaviour, as opposed to offering detention which is often the case for verbal abuse etc. - xx, Scotland, 25/7/2013 19:06 Click to rate Report abuse Agre with this 100% - my son is 10 nearly 11 and we have now informed the school that we will deal with future incidents via the police as from 10 they can now be held responsible for their actions and it is assault. I blame the parents 100% as the problem children have parents who seem to think their children can do no wrong and simply do not discipline them. They teach their children to fight and not to reason and negotiate. I think because they are too thick to do this themselves. - Teegan, Sussex, 25/7/2013 19:06 Click to rate Report abuse Share this comment The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Rating 98 Rating 63 Rating 41 Rating 74 Rating 56 Rating 11

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