Schools in Worcestershire have excluded pupils for sexual misconduct on almost two dozen occasions in just one year, figures reveal.

Charity, Rape Crisis, said the figures do not show the true scale of sexual abuse inside schools, following thousands of allegations by students across England.

Department for Education figures show Worcestershire schools excluded students 23 times for sexual misconduct in 2018-19 – all of which were temporary exclusions.

Of the exclusions in 2018-19, 21 occurred in state-funded secondary schools and two in special schools.

Overall, Worcestershire schools excluded pupils 2,959 times in 2018-19 – 2,878 of which were fixed, and 81 permanent.

Rape Crisis said the number of exclusions will not show the true scale of sexist bullying and sexual violence being perpetrated in schools, particularly against girls.

Katie Russell, national spokeswoman for the charity, added: “We’ve known for a number of years about the high prevalence and serious impacts of sexual violence and abuse in schools.

“The Women and Equalities Select Committee published a comprehensive report into this issue with clear recommendations back in 2016, some of which are yet to be implemented.

“No-one in the Government can claim not to have known about this situation and action clearly should have been taken before now.”

More than 14,000 testimonies have been posted on the Everyone’s Invited website, where pupils can anonymously share their experiences of abuse and assault.

Some students have accused their establishments of not tackling a “rape culture”.

The Government announced an immediate review into sexual abuse in schools in the wake of the allegations, while an NSPCC helpline and an Ofsted review were also launched.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s said young victims of harmful sexual behaviour often feel embarrassed or fear they won’t be taken seriously.

A Government spokeswoman said: “Where schools do not meet the strict safeguarding standards that we have in place, we will take swift action and we will always back headteachers to remove a pupil from the classroom where this creates a calm and disciplined environment.

“We would encourage anyone who is aware of any specific incidents – and feels comfortable reporting their concerns – to do so.”