Breaches of coronavirus rules were the reason behind almost 100 school exclusions in Worcestershire last year.

Department for Education figures show "wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures" was a reason behind 86 exclusions from schools in Worcestershire in the 2020-21 academic year – all of which were temporary exclusions.

Of these exclusions, 54 were in secondary schools, 13 in primary schools and 19 in special schools.

Labour said the Government's lack of clear guidance over pandemic measures threatened children's futures and contributed to almost 13,000 of these exclusions nationally.

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Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools worked very hard to keep pupils and staff safe during the pandemic, and it is not unreasonable that young people should be expected to comply with these measures.

Stephen Morgan MP, Labour’s shadow schools minister, said: “The Conservatives have created deep divides in school exclusions, with the lack of clear guidance, especially during the pandemic, threatening children’s futures and failing communities.

“The Government’s independent review highlights the need to tackle exclusions and ensure children are supported to improve life chances.

“No parent wants to see their child excluded from school but once again the Conservatives have treated our children and their future opportunities as an afterthought.”

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Children across England were excluded 12,965 times for reasons including non-compliance with social distancing, causing distress such as by purposefully coughing near to others, or any other deliberate breach of a school's public health measures.

In Worcestershire, there were a total of 2,873 exclusions for all reasons last year.

Figures for the most recent academic year include a period in spring 2021 when Covid-19 restrictions meant that only key worker and vulnerable children were attending school in person, with others being educated remotely.

Of the 16 possible reasons for exclusion, public health was the eighth most frequent.

The most common reasons were persistent disruptive behaviour (29%), physical assault against a pupil (23%) and verbal abuse or threatening behaviour towards an adult (17%).

A Department for Education spokeswoman said permanent exclusions are a rare but necessary way of managing behaviour – but should not mean exclusion from education.