256 disruptive and abusive London pupils excluded every day

More than 250 children are excluded daily from schools in London.

The figure emerged after Education Secretary Michael Gove admitted bad behaviour is reaching "critical" levels in many schools, and revealed new guidance to clarify the powers teachers have to keep order.

A total of 125 pupils are either expelled or suspended every day for abuse or assault, while six are sent home for sexual misconduct or racial abuse.

Four are sent home for using drugs or alcohol, while 43 must leave school for "persistent disruptive behaviour". In all, 256 are excluded each day - a quarter of the national total.

The book of guidelines outlining how teachers should deal with misbehaviour in the classroom has been cut to 50 pages from 600. Launching the guidance, experts admitted schools are turning to educational psychologists in a bid to keep control.

Pimlico Academy has a full-time educational psychologist and 42 staff in non-teaching roles to keep children in line.

At Willow school in Hillingdon there are two therapists and a clinical psychologist. Headteacher Charlie Taylor, the Government's new expert adviser on behaviour, said: "It is something schools need to consider."

He said schools should also consider introducing traditional uniforms to instil pride, and ought to insist that pupils do up their top shirt buttons and ties because "it sets a tone for a school".