More than one in 20 Islington pupils have been temporarily excluded from school according to new figures, the sixth highest percentage in London.

The report by the Department for Education show that nearly 1,200 children were excluded during 2009 to 2010 school year, 5.4 per cent of all pupils.

In addition, 20 pupils were permanently excluded during that period, or 0.08 per cent of all school children.

The most common offences leading to exclusion were persistent disruptive behaviour and verbal abuse and threatening behaviour to adults and other pupils.

Fifteen children were excluded for sexual misconduct, 30 for racist abuse and 120 for bullying.