THE number of pupils suspended from Rochdale schools for violence has risen by more than 16 per cent.

Three hundred and thirty four children were sent home for assaults against other pupils in 2006/7 compared with 287 the previous year.

Rochdale saw the second highest increase in Greater Manchester for the number of fixed period exclusions for violence in the classroom, behind Trafford which had a 41.5 per cent rise.

It was the fourth highest in Greater Manchester, behind Manchester city centre with 786, Bolton with 423 and Stockport with 404, for the number of suspensions for violence.

The statistics were released by Conservative party officials, who say this is further evidence of lack of discipline in the classroom and highlights the need for headteachers to get more powers to exclude pupils permanently.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley, the leader of the Conservatives on Rochdale Council, said: "Any increase is worrying and I fully support headteachers in the need to remove these children because of the disruption they cause to other pupils.

"It prevents them from getting on with their education and learning and it is sad that this figure is increasing."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen says local headteachers already have powers to exclude pupils permanently following an appeal process by the school governors.

And he doesn’t feel there is a need to change this system.

He said: "No exclusion is good news for that pupil and it does represent a breakdown in behaviour and discipline.

"The fixed period exclusion provides a cooling off period for the pupils and the family is involved where behaviour is unacceptable."

Mr Rowen – himself a former teacher – added: "To put this into context there are 20,000 school pupils in Rochdale and 99 per cent are well behaved and get on with their studies."

Earlier this year figures obtained by the Observer under the Freedom of Information Act showed that five children were found in possession of knives in school grounds in the past year, two had cannabis and two of the children found in possession of weapons or drugs were arrested.

Maria Boyle, of the council’s learners and young people service said: "Rochdale Borough Council carefully monitors trends in reasons for exclusions from school, both locally and nationally.

"Our overall aim is to reduce exclusions to zero over time.

"Permanent exclusion is always only used as a last resort by schools.

"Advice and practical support is offered to schools in relation to any incident which may lead to the permanent exclusion of a pupil."