Teachers bashed by four-year-olds

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Violent ... attacks by youngest kids on rise

CHILDREN as young as FOUR are being kicked out of school for attacking teachers, it was revealed yesterday.

Figures from the Education Department showed 1,190 tiny terrors were suspended from reception classes last year.

And 20 of the most unruly were expelled before they had completed a single year of schooling. Last night one expert said the statistics showed teachers lack authority and are opting for expulsion as an "easy option".

Nearly 600 reception kids were suspended for assaulting a teacher or another adult.

More than 300 attacked another pupil and 170 displayed persistent disruptive behaviour.

Fifty suspensions were issued for verbally abusing or threatening an adult, 20 for the same offence against pupils and another 20 for theft or damage.

A total of 3,140 suspensions were dished out to children in reception plus Year 1 and Year 2 classes. Tiny terror numbers have risen by three per cent over the last four years — bucking the trend of a 22 per cent reduction in suspensions across the whole school system.

Professor Frank Furedi, the author of Wasted: Why Education Isn't Educating, said: "This shows the loss of adult authority. Teachers feel confused about how to gain the respect of four-year-olds and instead of exercising discipline opt for the easy option of expulsion."

Anastasia De Waal, head of Family and Education at think-tank Civitas, said: "It is alarming to see aggressive behaviour in a rising number of infants."

Teaching union NASUWT said savage budget cuts were harming support systems for problem pupils and parents.