A total of 42 children a day are expelled during the school year in England for persistent disruptive behaviour – the main reason for pupils to be excluded.
New Education Secretary Gavin Williamson faced figures that show there were 7,900 permanent exclusions last year, up from 7,700 in 2017 and the highest figure since 2009.
The number of children suspended for fixed periods rose 8% between 2016-17 to 2017-18, to 410,800, with pupils excluded 2.2 times on average.
A rising number of exclusions in the North East have led to the increase and there has been a 13% rise in permanent exclusions for assaults against an adult in a year.
Expulsions for drug and alcohol issues were up 13% to 643 but those for racist abuse, sexual misconduct and damage fell.
The government report shows permanent exclusions for disruptive behaviour have fallen for the first time in five years.
The next biggest reason for permanent exclusion was assault against a pupil.
A Department for Education spokesman said: “We have been clear that exclusion from school should not mean exclusion from education.
“Headteachers do not take the decision lightly and we will continue to back them in using permanent exclusion as a last resort.”
