NEARLY three children are suspended for assault each school day in Bolton, new figures show.

Department for Education statistics reveal that behaviour in the classroom has worsened particularly in primary schools —with the numbers of children permanently excluded doubling to 12 in 2013/14 compared to the previous year.

In Bolton, a total of 1,070 fixed period exclusions were issued in secondary schools compared to 998 the year before and in primary schools that figure stood at 522, a rise of 206.

In primary school, 222 children were suspended more than once, and in secondary school 565 were ordered out of class more than once.

Children as young as five were suspended for physical assault against an adult — with these figures rising to 174 from 101 the year before.

Suspension notices issued for assaults on pupils rose to 330.

This averages out at nearly three children a day being ordered out of the classroom for physical assault, compared to fewer than one day in neighbouring Bury and one a day in Salford.

Bullying in schools in Bolton is also on the increase with 19 fixed term exclusion notices issued, an increase of six.

But the statistics show that the number of suspension notices issues for incidents involved drugs and alcohol has fallen sharply from 60 to 24.

Schools minister Nick Gibb said the figures reflected new powers for teachers that has given them the confidence to exclude pupils.

In 2012, teachers were given the go-ahead to search pupils, issue no-notice detentions and schools were put back in charge of exclusion appeals.

In Bury 740 fixed term exclusions were issued which is 2.64 per cent of the population compared to 3.52 per cent of the population in Bolton.

In Salford 850 exclusion notices were issued, which is 2.59 per cent of the population.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Although there was a rise in fixed term exclusions in primaries last year, the percentage of primary pupils receiving one or more fixed term exclusions is still less than one per cent.

“Meanwhile, the percentage of pupils receiving one or more fixed term exclusions in secondary schools last year was also very low at three per cent, lower than the average in the North West and England.

"We have an excellent pupil referral unit service which provides support to schools when they are faced with challenging behaviour and the majority of children returning to school following a fixed period of exclusion tend to remain in school due to good support from all involved.

"Overall, Ofsted has judged that 95 per cent of primary schools and 94 per cent of secondary schools in Bolton are good or outstanding for the behaviour and safety of pupils.

"We will continue to work with schools and parents to reduce poor behaviour in schools, and build on our successful support mechanisms.”

Julia Simpkins, secretary of the Bolton branch of the National Union of Teachers, said: “Children clearly know about their rights but are not as clear about the responsibility that goes with along with those rights.

“Teachers are there to teach children, and children cannot grow up thinking they can hit people and there are no consequences.”