Figures published by the Department for Education show that the number of pupils excluded from lessons because of alleged racism has more than doubled in some areas.

This number has increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Brighton and Hove, six students were suspended from school over allegations of racism during the spring term of the 2022-2023 school year. These numbers are up from last year, when four children were suspended during the same period.

Pre-pandemic data from 2018 to 2019 showed three children were excluded.

In East Sussex, the number of suspended pupils has risen from seven pre-pandemic to 42, according to the latest figures.

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One student was forced to find a new school after being permanently excluded due to racist bullying.

A similar spike was reported in West Sussex, where 52 students were suspended in spring 2023, up from 28 before the pandemic.

Becca Rosenthal, director of hate crime at the charity Victim Support, said schools were working harder to protect young people affected by racial hatred.

She said: “This increase in suspensions and expulsions may indicate that schools are stamping out such behavior rather than reflecting an actual increase in racist violence.”

“Racist violence has a devastating impact on young people, impacting on their mental health and overall wellbeing.

“This can cause friendships to break down and disrupt children’s learning, causing victims to not want to come to school. It is vital that schools and youth services have the tools to combat racist violence and that staff have the confidence to have difficult conversations.”

East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council were contacted for comment.