DISRUPTIVE behaviour in Dorset schools has led to an increase in the number of pupils permanently excluded from the classroom.

The figures announced yesterday follow the national trend with 9,210 permanent exclusions from English primary, secondary and special schools in 2000-01, up 11 per cent from the previous year's total of 8,323.

In Poole the numbers have risen from 10 pupils expelled in 2000-2001 compared to four in 1999-2000. So far this year four pupils have been permanently excluded.

In Bournemouth the number of pupils permanently excluded rose from six in 1999-2000 to seven in 2000-2001. Five pupils have already been expelled this year.

And across the rest of Dorset the number of pupils permanently excluded from school has risen by 61 per cent - from 34 in 1999-2000, 26 males and eight females, to 55 in 2000-2001, 42 males and 13 female.

Paul Taylor, head of pupil and parent support for the Borough of Poole, put down the rise to government changes on expulsion over the last few years.

"The majority of exclusions have been due to disruptive behaviour, those youngsters who stand out in the whole of the year group. I think we are quite fortunate, the numbers are relatively small when you think we have we have a 20,000 plus pupil population. We are very positive that the number of permanent exclusions is low and we are always trying to improve."

Nigel Bowes, Children's Support Services manager in Bournemouth, said: "Although it is recognised as a problem in Bourne-mouth, the number of children excluded from our schools is below the national average.

"All schools and staff are continually working to support those children who need help and guidance in their behaviour during school time. This is a positive move and we hope that this will ensure that as many children as possible can benefit from our excellent schools and facilities."

Yesterday Education Secretary Estelle Morris was said to be relaxed about the rise. She has been taking an increasingly hard line on school discipline in recent months, and has removed the restrictions on head teachers, which saw the exclusion rate plummet from its 1996-97 peak of 12,700.