New figures have revealed that one in every eight permanent exclusions in Norfolk were from the same school.

Statistics released by the Department for Education have shown that schools in Norfolk permanently excluded 88 pupils in the space of a single term.

Of these, 10 were made from Caister Academy, near Great Yarmouth, which is run by the Creative Education Trust.

It made the seaside secondary the only one in the county to hit double figures in dismissals over the period assessed.

It also meant that the school was responsible for more than 10pc of all exclusions made in the county.

A spokesperson for Creative Education Trust, which also runs Lynn Grove Academy, which had the second most exclusions, said: "This data relates to last year, and since then we have seen a marked downward trend in permanent exclusions.

"The majority of this type of exclusion at Caister related to a one-off incident involving a number of students.

"Across the trust, we are prioritising positive behaviour and inclusion, and have been working with all of our schools to embed this."

Meanwhile, Norfolk's overall exclusion rate has halved when compared with the same period the year before.

The rate of exclusion for the autumn term of 2021/22 - the latest figures - was 0.05pc.

This figure in 2020/21 was 0.11pc, meaning the rate has more than halved.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Catch22 headteacher Philip Hinchliffe, pictured at the opening of its Norwich site

Philip Hinchliffe, headteacher of Include Norfolk, an alternative provision school with bases in Norwich and King's Lynn said the reduction was a good sign.

He said: "I know a lot of hard work has gone into addressing this issue and new special resource base places will have helped.

"I think the all-round approach has improved in Norfolk. There will always be some level of exclusions but a lot of planning has gone into addressing it, even before Covid, to make things a lot better than they were 10 or 15 years ago."

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: "The inclusion and opportunity service works closely with schools to support, challenge and find alternative solutions to exclusion and many are avoided as a result.

"We are pleased to note there has been a reduction in the figures and we will continue to work hard to reduce the incidence of exclusion from schools.

"Advisors support schools and challenge practice which may lead to any form of exclusion and there has been an investment in the team that leads the work."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: John Fisher, cabinet member for childrens services. Picture: Norfolk County Council

John Fisher, cabinet member for children's services at County Hall, said: "Our children need to be in school to learn and develop and we work extremely hard to ensure that they have the support to ensure they are able to engage and thrive in the school environment.

"I welcome these figures, but we are determined to do more to ensure we can make further progress in this regard."

Mike Smith-Clare, education spokesman for the Labour Party in Norfolk, said: "It’s always disappointing to see young people missing out on essential education.

"Teachers and their students deserve the appropriate support required to ensure that exclusions remain a last resort.”

Which schools excluded the most pupils?

The 10 schools with the most exclusions were:

  • Caister Academy - 10 
  • Lynn Grove Academy - 5
  • City Academy, Norwich - 4
  • Springwood High, King's Lynn - 3
  • City of Norwich School - 2
  • Great Yarmouth Charter Academy - 2
  • Ormiston Victory Academy, Costessey - 2
  • North Walsham High - 2
  • Great Yarmouth Primary Academy - 2
  • Peterhouse CofE Primary, Gorleston - 2
  • Hewett Academy, Norwich - 2