Exclusion rates for Sussex school children from less privileged backgrounds are four times higher than their peers, new figures reveal.

Data from the Department of Education found that schools across Sussex excluded students eligible for free school meals 3,286 times during the 2019-20 academic year, with 48 being permanent.

East Sussex saw the most exclusion of students from less privileged backgrounds; 1,476 in total, with 19 being permanent.

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Across West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, rates of exclusion for those students were at least four times higher than those not eligible for free school meals.

Just for Kids Law, a charity that provides help and support to families on legal processes, said that children are getting into trouble because their families cannot afford uniforms and equipment, or are struggling to cope without food or heating at home.

They are calling for reform of the “deeply flawed” exclusions system, claiming they worsen the situation for disadvantaged children, putting them further behind on their studies and potentially leading them into crime.

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Director of the charity’s policy and campaigns Louise King said: “Too often we see children who have been excluded because of circumstances beyond their control - that includes children whose families have struggled to pay for the correct uniform and equipment, who have faced racial discrimination, and who are coping with the impact of going without essentials like food and heating.

“This can leave children feeling like they’ve been treated unfairly, pushing them further away from school and their learning.”

She added the government needs to provide better financial support to families, put in place behavioural support for schools and give children the opportunity to challenge decisions on exclusions.

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