Wandsworth had inner London’s highest number of students expelled from secondary school in 2009-10, according to new Government statistics.

A total of 50 pupils in state-funded secondary schools were permanently excluded in the borough, compared to 48 in Southwark and 45 in Lambeth.

Persistent disruptive behaviour was cited in 11 cases, with physical assault against a pupil in another 10.

Smaller numbers were expelled for sexual misconduct, drink or drugs, or theft.

The statistics were released by the Department of Education on Thursday, July 28.

However, the 762 secondary school students handed fix-term exclusions was below the London average of 1,172.

The 137 primary school students suspended was also below the London average of 163.