Number of pupils expelled for sexual misconduct is up

THE number of children being expelled from school for sexual misconduct surged by 50per cent in the past academic year, amid fears that child-on-child assaults are fuelling a rise in pupil suspensions.

More than 7,720 children were permanently excluded from English state schools in the space of 12 months, with one in four being dismissed for a sexual offence, racial abuse or physically assaulting an adult or a pupil.

On average, more than 40 children were expelled from school every day.

In figures that will alarm head teachers and parents, more than 100 children were kicked out of school for sexual misconduct in the 2016-17 academic year.

The data has emerged amid a worrying rise in the number of alleged childon-child sex offences, with police forces across England and Wales receiving in excess of 7,800 reports in the last year alone.

Since 2013, more than 2,600 reports have been logged relating to rapes and sexual offences being carried out on school premises, including primary school playgrounds.

While schools have a legal duty to report sexual assaults on children by adults, up until recently, they had been advised to follow their own protection procedures when the alleged perpetrator is a child.

Helen Westerman, a campaign manager at the NSPCC, told The Daily Telegraph that the figures were “concerning”, adding that it was unclear whether the rise was part of a disturbing trend or better training and detection rates.

“We’ve seen a huge technological revolution which has seen pornography become increasingly prevalent ... sexting, having relationships online,” she continued.

“All of that will have an impact on how children will relate and respond to one another. Pornography damages children’s perceptions of what is OK and what is real.”

Last night, a spokesman for the Department for Education said the new statutory guidance coming into force for schools in September would give teachers more clarity on their responsibilities and the ways to tackle peer-on-peer abuse.

“It is vital every child understands the importance of healthy relationships and has the confidence to say no, or to recognise when someone else has not given consent,” they added.