A shocking statistic. Certainly. One that requires attention. Of course.

A poor reflection on Calderdale, its teachers and education system? Not necessarily.

The scourge of rogue pupils has long blighted schools. Even in the days when teachers could wield canes and slippers and mete out punishment, some pupils still misbehaved.

So is it little surprise that more of them are disruptive now?

These children not only cause trouble for the teaching and support staff, they hold up the progress of more well-balanced children and can seriously damage their education.

Parents of excluded children often portray their offspring as victims. But so often they are to blame. They have failed to instil a sense of responsibility and respect and everyone else is left to pay the price.

When children are expelled it swallows up taxpayers' money finding them new schools or dealing with them in pupil referral units.

Expulsions are not reached arbitrarily. A pupil needs to have stepped badly out of line before action is taken and what then follows is governed by strict procedure.

Action is taken for incidents of assault, threatening behaviour, theft, racism, bullying and disruptive behaviour among other things.

It might look better if Calderdale's figures were lower. But viewed from another perspective, they at least show us that headmasters and governors are doing their jobs.

Education is the cornerstone of successful adulthood. The minority should never be allowed to spoil things for the majority.

And from that perspective, the number of expulsions is immaterial.