THE number of pupils permanently excluded from lessons in Derby has risen dramatically, according to new figures.

A total of 84 secondary-age pupils were given their marching orders from schools across the city in 2006-7 – compared with 26 in the previous year.

But the number excluded for a set period of time fell from 1,263 to 1,027 in the same period.

Together with primary school figures for permanent exclusions, this represented 0.24% of the school population – up from 0.09% in the previous year. Nationally, 0.12% of pupils were permanently excluded from schools – the same as in the previous year.

Exclusions can be for a variety of reasons, including general bad behaviour, bullying and violence.

Fixed-term exclusions can be any length, as decided by the head teacher. Pupils can appeal to a school's governors against exclusion.

Councillor Les Allen, city council cabinet member for children and young people, said the increase had occurred because of a lack of suitable alternatives for pupils in danger of being excluded during the period. He said: “We are often able to avoid exclusions by offering alternative places of study when the risk of exclusion is identified. This could be at a training provider, in a different school or in the city's Kingsmead pupil referral unit.

“The 2006-7 increase came as a result of a shortage of early alternatives, leaving heads no choice but to exclude pupils rather than keep them in school.”

Mr Allen said the trend had now reversed after more alternatives had been provided, including work-based training and youth centre activities. He said: “We only have 24 exclusions so far this year, as the level of fixed-term exclusions in all schools has continued to come down.”

In the area of Derbyshire outside the city, the number of permanently excluded pupils rose from 119 in 2005-6 to 134 in 2006-7. The number of fixed-term exclusions also rose, from 4,036 to 4,099. These figures represented 0.14% of the school population and was the same percentage as last year.

A Derbyshire County Council spokesman said: “Permanently excluding a child is a major decision and we do everything we can to avoid it by helping schools, youngsters and their families to get the greatest possible level of support through initiatives such as parenting classes.

“Obviously, there are serious incidents where permanent exclusion is the only option but our aim is to use this only as a last resort.

Dave Wilkinson, Derby branch secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said: “We fully support head teachers in excluding pupils for violent and disruptive behaviour and that includes permanent exclusion where necessary.

“Head teachers often come under a great deal of pressure from local authorities not to exclude but bad pupil behaviour lowers standards in schools.

“The education and safety of all Derby's children is more important than the individual offender.”