Bolton's schoolchildren received more than 2,000 suspensions over the course of one term according to data released by the Department for Education (DfE). 

The data released last week shows there were 2,158 suspensions in the spring term of last year in an increase of around 60 per cent on the spring term of 2022.

The rise in temporary exclusions, which was accompanied by a rise in permanent exclusions from 22 students to 32 students, is much more significant than the increase of around 30 per cent in England.

Charity Nacro, which runs the Nacro Education Centre on Ruth Street, said already vulnerable children are much more at risk with those on free school meals four times more likely to be temporarily excluded and six times more likely to be permanently excluded than those not on free school meals.

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Its director of education Elise Temple said: "The impact for already vulnerable children of a disrupted education can be devastating and the knock-on effect into adult life has long-lasting consequences. 

"A number of our students were these young people but we see the potential they show when they are offered a different kind of learning.

"It is vital we help these young people back into education or training as much as possible so they can have the future they deserve."

Nationwide there were 263,904 suspensions in the spring term of last year up from 201,090 suspensions in the spring term of 2022.

Typically the number of suspensions in the autumn term is higher than in the spring term but this is not the case in Bolton or in England.

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A Bolton Council spokesperson said: "Each school has a written behaviour policy and individual headteachers will make decisions on disciplinary measures. However, suspensions or exclusions are only ever used as a last resort. 

"As part of our Belonging in Bolton strategy the council works with all of our schools to support them to be as inclusive as possible."

A DfE spokesperson said: "The government is clear it backs headteachers to use exclusions where required, so they can provide calm, safe and supportive environments for children to learn in.

"We are providing targeted support to schools to help improve behaviour, attendance and reduce the risk of exclusions with an investment of £10m in our behaviour hubs programme, and our mental health teams who will reach at least 50 per cent of pupils by 2025.

"We are continuing to deliver on our plan to give every child a world class education and standards have risen sharply across the country, with 90 per cent of schools now rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, up from just 68 per cent in 2010."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.