SCHOOLS only exclude pupils as a last resort according to a leading headteacher, who added that children who are will be given a "package of support".

Executive Principal of SS Simon and Jude's CE Primary School in Great Lever, Simon Bramwell, who as a national leader of education helps raise standards in other school, said: "While any rise in the figures is disappointing, schools only use exclusion as a last resort.

"Schools will normally have run through an entire gambit of strategies to amend behaviour before resorting to suspension.

"When it does occur, especially when supported by parents, it can be an effective tool in bringing about change.

"In the majority of cases once is enough and children learn their lesson. These figures also need to be seen in the context of the Government's drive to ensure higher behaviour standards.

"Headteachers are also subject to scrutiny from Ofsted who will always look at the frequency and pattern of exclusions."

Mr Bramwell added: "In the case of permanent exclusion headteachers will only take this step when the safety or learning of other children is put in serious jeopardy.

"All pupils have a right to come to school in safety and expect a positive learning experience, where headteachers, including myself on occasion, can no longer guarantee that, they will rightly use this ultimate sanction for the protection of others, or in a minority of cases for the safety of the child in question.

"Parents have a right to choose a school for their child, where a child has different needs to the majority, most parents work with the local experts to find a suitable and appropriate placement for their child.

"Where places break down early in a school career, it is often where the placement was unsuitable in the first place."

He added: "All permanent exclusions are subject to a confirmation hearing within 15 days, where parents and the local authority can appeal the head's decision to the governors.

"In many cases, however, there are serious underlying issues behind unacceptable behaviour and the exclusion offers a catalyst towards a fresh start for the child, often with a package of support that will address needs that a mainstream school cannot provide."