With more and more children - some as young as seven - being kicked out of the classroom, Croydon Council has drafted in a new educational expert to stem the rising tide of primary school exclusions.

The idea is to identify and help children in their tender years - before they reach secondary schoo.l.

Last year there were more than 1,000 exclusions, both temporary and permanent, from all Croydon's schools - the highest figure for the past decade and 15 per cent up on the previous year.

The vast majority of these (862) are temporary and education chiefs are particularly worried by the rises in the number of girls and youngsters missing out on lessons.

To combat the trend, primary school headteachers who are worried that one of their pupils is at risk of exclusion can now contact a neutral mediator, Michelle Stewart, to act between parents and teachers in the child's best interests.

Mrs Stewart, a community education support officer at Croydon Council, told the Guardian: "I am not saying that I can cut exclusions totally but if I can help preventing two or three children that is a bonus - teachers have a very difficult job."

Her task is to spend time working with children both in and out of the classroom, building their self confidence and self-esteem.

"I am there as a link between the school and the parents. I am working with about 10 children at the moment and they are still in school - so far it's working."

Chairman of education, Councillor Hugh Maylan, is equally enthusiastic. "One exclusion is one too many," he said. "We are committed to preventing the need to take such action wherever possible by addressing the underlying problems and this latest initiative represents a very useful step in that direction."

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