Sutton had London’s third highest proportion of pupils suspended from primary school in 2009-10, according to new Government statistics.

A total of 225 children at maintained primary schools were given fixed-period exclusions, representing 1.5 per cent of the school population.

Only Hackney, with 2.1 per cent, and Lambeth, with 1.9 per cent, had a higher proportion.

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

However, the borough had London’s third smallest proportion of secondary school students suspended, 5.6 per cent, representing 939 students.

Fewer than five primary school students, and 34 high school students, were expelled during the same period.