BAD behaviour saw 1,501 pupils excluded from north Essex secondary schools in a year.

Verbal abuse to teachers was among the most common reasons for children being ordered off the premises at schools across Colchester and Tendring.

Persistent disruptive behaviour was another cause frequently cited by headteachers.

The latest available figures – released to the Gazette under Freedom of Information legislation – show the exclusions table was topped during the 2006/7 school year by one of the area’s most successful comprehensives.

Essx County Council’s figures make no distinction between temporary and permanent exclusions but it is understood the vast majority cover short periods of a few days.

For more details about exclusions in your child's school, see today's Gazette