It also maintains that violence from pupils and disruptive behaviour are responsible for making black children feel excluded from the education system.

The worrying findings are part of a wide ranging study, the Black Child Report, carried out by the Peoplescience Intelligence Unit.

The research was carried out nationally among a representative sample of 612 black children of both sexes, aged between 11 and 16.

The report, which also covered areas such as health, family, religion and leisure, was produced to help those who work with black and Asian communities.

The survey studied the findings in greater depth and drew some disturbing conclusions. It found that children who felt that they had experienced racism from their teachers or peers were more likely to be involved in school fights and to smoke cigarettes. It also appeared that such children were more likely to try alcohol and cannabis.

A spokesman for Peoplescience said: "Clearly, these are all very worrying, negative experiences.

It appears that the pressure, stress and inner conflict experienced by the victims of racism creates, in black children, a higher propensity for negative behaviour."

Councillor Gee Bernard, who runs the Croydon African Caribbean Family Organisation in Thornton Heath to help black children, said all black children faced racism at school. "The national curriculum does not address the black community because of the embedded racism in the education system. In spite of the Stephen Lawrence case, nothing has been done.

"Black children are becoming frustrated and angry because they don't see anything useful to them other than computers - that's why some of them cause the kind of problems we are talking about.

"The Government has to make sure the national curriculum reflects the whole community."

More information on the Black Child Report 1999-2000 can be accessed by visiting www.peoplescience.com