Hundreds of pupils have been banned from class for a raft of 'sexual misconduct', including assault, harassment and bullying. Others have been excluded for inappropriate touching, lewd behaviour and sexual graffiti.
Shockingly, some children were disciplined within their first year at primary school when new learners are just four or five-years-old, although 13, 14 and 15 years old are the most likely to be punished.
A new investigation found there were more than 2,000 reported incidents between January 2010 and September 2013, although the true figure is likely to be much higher, as nearly two-thirds of the 153 authorities contacted said they did not hold the information centrally, or refused to disclose it.
Child welfare charities and politicians described the figures, uncovered by the Press Association, as 'extremely concerning' and called on the Government to clamp down on the ease with which children can access internet pornography, and to implement a 'robust' sex education programme.
Jon Brown, head of tackling child sexual abuse at the NSPCC, said: 'The extent of sexual harassment, inappropriate sexual behaviour and in the worst cases violence by children is extremely concerning.
'Exposure to extreme, sometimes sexually violent and degrading material is now only a few clicks away and this can warp young people’s views of what is normal and acceptable sexual behaviour.
'Sexting (sending sexual text messages) is now the norm for many young people who may find once they start sending explicit pictures of themselves the situation spirals out of control.
'We need good quality, age appropriate education in schools to help young people develop healthy, positive relationships with each other, so that children understand consent, do not feel so pressurised to behave in a sexualised way, and respect themselves and others.'
Six children in reception classes across England were involved in a sexual act in a school, the figures showed.
Exposed: Six children in reception classes,
where pupils are just four or five, were involved in a sexual act in a
school (file photo)