SCHOOLS pushed to expel or exclude unruly pupils say the loss of children’s centres will lead to youngsters being less prepared for learning.

An investigation into Oxfordshire’s soaring exclusion rates has cited lack of school readiness as a reason behind serious behavioural issues.

County exclusions in 2016-17 were up 28 per cent on the previous academic year, and 62 per cent on the year before, with 82 pupils expelled.

Members of Oxfordshire County Council’s education scrutiny committee visited schools to unearth reasons behind the spike.

Among five key contributing factors they found was poor school readiness.

A report said: “Not all children are starting school with appropriate social and cognitive skills and competencies.

“They may be unable to follow instruction or may not be toilet-trained.

“Previously primary schools would have used links with children’s centres to access additional advice and support.”

Most of the 44 centres in the county closed last March after the council slashed funding, replacing them with eight children and family centres.

Councillor Gill Sanders, who wrote the exclusions report, said at the committee’s meeting: “Many children simply are not prepared for primary school, and find the move very problematic.

“With children’s centres, every kid went along with mum or dad and things could be spotted and picked up.

“It’s now not so easy to do that.”

The county council stressed many communities have received transitional funding to keep their children’s centres open, and with many closing only shortly before the latest figures were released that could not be the reason for the recent spike.

Lack of places at Oxfordshire’s alternative provision academy, Meadowbrook College, was also raised as an issue linked to exclusions.

Meadowbrook educates children aged five to 16 who are struggling in mainstream school.

The county council funds 106 places at its four bases, but there is demand for more.

In 2016-17 Oxfordshire primaries expelled 22 pupils, but Meadowbrook was only funded for eight primary places.

Persistent disruptive behaviour is the most common reason for exclusion, and headteachers said they need more resources to deal with such children.

Schools also fed back that funding for children with special educational needs (SEN) was not enough to properly support their progress.

Every pupil expelled from Oxfordshire primaries in 2016/17 received SEN support, and more than half of those expelled at secondary.

The council’s cabinet member for education, Hilary Hibbert-Biles, said exclusion must be a ‘last resort’.

She said: “The rise is clearly a concern, though Oxfordshire schools remain below the national average.

“While the council continually looks to improve support to help Oxfordshire’s schools tackle this issue, we are also seeking schools’ reassurance that all other options are being exhausted before such action is taken.”