More than a third of all pupils suspended in Hammersmith and Fulham from 2012-2013 were temporarily excluded for assaulting other pupils, the highest rate in England.

Figures published by the Department of Education on August 1 show 33.7 per cent, which was 199 students, were suspended for assaulting pupils in state funded primary and secondary schools and special schools in the borough during this time.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council refused to comment.

The percentage of those suspended for the same reason in Brent was also high, with 27.1 per cent or 409 pupils.

Councillor Ruth Moher, Lead Member for Children and Young People, said: “Brent schools submit their data relating to exclusions directly to the Department of Education.

“The schools continue to address the behaviour for learning of their pupils and provide positive support for young people and their families in partnership with the local authority.

“In 2013-2014 the number of pupils excluded for fixed period exclusions fell by 350 overall and those reported as ‘physical assault’ reduced by 142. “However, the number of fixed period exclusions for physical assault against other pupils should not be used as a proxy for violence in Brent schools.

“Many of the incidents reported by Brent schools are for behaviours such as obstruction, jostling and minor altercations.”

Suspended pupils in Ealing are nearly twice as likely to have been suspended for racist abuse as the England average.

In Ealing 2.8 per cent were temporarily excluded between 2012-2013 for racist abuse, which was 37 pupils, whereas the country’s average was 1.6 per cent.

Westminster also came out above the average with 2.6 per cent, 22 pupils.

A Westminster City Council spokesman said: “Westminster is a diverse place, with many mixed communities. Our schools take any form of racism very seriously, and we are sure they act accordingly.”

The data also showed that suspended pupils in Ealing were more than three times as likely to have been suspended for sexual misconduct as the England average, 3.1 per cent versus 0.9 per cent.

This was 33 pupils in the borough for state-funded primary and secondary and special schools.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe and valued, and Ealing schools have an inclusive approach with robust processes to address incidents of racism and sexual misconduct.

“We fully support schools taking action and using interventions such as mentoring and counselling when this occurs.”

In both Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea 2.7 per cent were suspended for sexual misconduct in the given year.

In Hammersmith and Fulham this meant 16 pupils and in Kensington and Chelsea this was eight.

A council spokesman for Kensington and Chelsea said: “With a borough population as small as Kensington and Chelsea percentage figures are not always as meaningful as when looking at larger boroughs. Therefore it is not helpful to make assumptions based on such small numbers.”