Schools watchdog Ofsted held the investigation after figures showed that schools had been repeatedly suspending children as young as four. It was found that children were using sexual graphic language and there were high incidences of children touching other children inappropriately. The inquiry also found children were swearing, attacking staff and throwing furniture.
The report suggested that schools need to support pupils more in order to reduce the amount of exclusions, but stated that schools are not in a position to deal with the psychological issues present in some children. Ofsted are now calling for the Government to give more advice to schools in coping with children’s behaviour and identifying sexual behaviour, along with guidance on when to refer a child to social services if they are believed to be at risk of child abuse.
Miriam Rosen, director of education at Ofsted, said: ‘Sexualised behaviour can indicate a child protection issue, so the important thing is that they refer to the social services so they can deal with the problem.’
The report was based on visits to 69 primary schools, half of which had above average exclusions rates for four to seven year-olds.
