Medway has the highest rate of pupils being excluded from school for bullying in the south east.

Data analysed by Oxford Home Schooling revealed there was an 85% increase in the number of school exclusions for bullying between 2016 and 2018.

The statistics, published by the Department for Eduction at the end of last month, revealed the number had risen from 13 to 24 in the period.

In the 2017/18 period there was one bullying exclusion per 1,978 students.

Across Kent, there was just a 2% increase, or one per 2,179 students in 2017/18.

In the south east, there was a 20% decrease (615 to 494) in bullying exclusions.

The data listed a variety of reasons for excluding pupils, including racist abuse, sexual misconduct, drugs and alcohol, causing damage and theft.

The best local authority for decreasing the number of pupils who were excluded for bullying was Bracknell Forest in Berkshire which saw a 100% decrease.

Dr Nick Smith, principal at Oxford Home Schooling, said: “It is encouraging to see that in many areas the numbers of exclusions for bullying are decreasing.

“While this doesn’t necessarily mean bullying is becoming less of an issue, it might suggest that schools are taking measures.”

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