Church of England schools have been urged not to expel pupils, as it recognises the link between permanent exclusions and a rise in youth violence.

Following a debate at the General Synod in York, the Church said on Saturday morning that it plans to be “proactive” and explore alternative arrangements for children who may ordinarily be removed from mainstream education.

The C of E, which is the second largest provider of state education in the country, was also asked to formally monitor and report on exclusions to minimise their ubiquity.

It comes amid wider concerns from Ministers at the Department for Education and Ofsted inspectors, who are increasingly worried that some teachers simply use exclusion to “off-roll” students who might push a school further down the league tables.

Over the past three years, permanent exclusions from all schools have has risen by 40 per cent.

A motion responding to serious youth violence across the country called on members of the General Synod to understand how the issue affects the whole community, including primary and secondary schools.

On Saturday morning, the Reverend Canon Rosemarie Mallett, the priest of Angell Town in Brixton encouraged the use of pastoral care in schools instead.