The drop in school exclusion rates in Harrow is among the highest in the country, according to the latest government statistics.

Data from the Department for Education (DfE) showed that 1,008 pupils were excluded permanently or for a fixed period from schools in Harrow in 2017/18.

This was fewer than in 2008/09 when 1,615 pupils were excluded, representing a decrease of almost 38 per cent.

It means Harrow had the eighth-highest reduction in England across this period, with South Tyneside, Rutland and Thurrock making up the top three.

Cllr Christine Robson, responsible for young people and schools at Harrow Council, said: “We are always proud of how well our schools perform and have always had low levels of school exclusions.

“This is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful schools and services which work hard to give every young person in Harrow the best start in life.”

According to the DfE, with more than 125,000 exclusions across the country in 2017/18, ‘persistent disruptive behaviour’ is the main reason pupils are asked to leave.

This is followed by ‘physical assault against another pupil’ and ‘verbal abuse or threatening behaviour towards an adult’.