Pupils have been kicked out of the town’s schools for bad behaviour including alcohol and drugs abuse, racist abuse and sexual misconduct.

Over the past two years, 27 students have been temporarily suspended for drug and alcohol offences.

More than 150 pupils – including primary school children aged 11 and younger – have been suspended for assaulting or verbally abusing fellow pupils or teachers.

Some were punished for sexual misconduct and racist abuse, but most fell foul of persistent disruptive behaviour and verbally abusing or threatening adults.

The figures – obtained by the Express through a Freedom of Information request about suspensions over the last two years – show:

  • 81 suspended for assaulting other pupils
  • 19 suspended for assaulting adults
  • 18 temporarily kicked out for verbally abusing or threatening behaviour towards other pupils
  • 145 suspended for verbally abusing or threatening behaviour to adults
  • 121 for persistent disruptive behaviour
  • 7 for bullying

A total of 339 youngsters were temporarily excluded.

In Macclesfield’s four high schools, Fallibroome, All Hallows, Macclesfield and Tytherington, 16 were expelled.

Only 14 pupils from primary schools were suspended during that time while none were expelled. All high schools have shown a drop in the number of pupils being temporarily banned since last year.

Jim Bisset, chairman of the Governors at Macclesfield High, said: "I’m surprised the levels have dropped to that extent. The social problems that cause bad behaviour haven’t gone away

"I haven’t come across anybody being excluded for racist abuse at Macclesfield High. Occasionally we get somebody caught with drugs but that’s very rare.

"The majority of exclusions are to do with bad behaviour or physical violence against pupils and staff."

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: "The council very much welcomes this reduction and applauds the efforts of the schools and the important part they play.

"Improved partnerships between the council and schools and between the schools themselves have contributed to this reduction.

"Schools have worked together and with outside agencies and providers to develop individualised programmes and alternative curriculum opportunities for students in years 10 and 11 which motivate and provide wider educational opportunities."

They said a good system for pupils who change schools and a shared ethos across the community has helped when dealing with more challenging pupils.