A pilot scheme designed to tackle the high number of school exclusions in Croydon has been launched.

The programme, the result of a consortium of national charities Catch 22, I CAN, Rathbone, the Pupil Partnership and Dyslexia Action, will be the first scheme of its kind to work in Croydon schools.

While there are other initiatives to help young people who have dropped out of school, Engage in Education focuses on preventing such situations from arising in the first place.

It is hoped the programme, which is also being piloted in other areas, will help more than 1,500 young people between the ages of 11 and 16 over the next year and a half.

The scheme has been welcomed by Croydon MP Malcolm Wicks, who said: "I am incredibly pleased that a proactive scheme like this has come to Croydon to help young people who are struggling in school.

"It is important that we do not ignore problems or wait until a child is outside of mainstream education before providing support.

"The best thing for everyone is for children to engage in their education, which is just what this scheme hopes to ensure."

Research published earlier this year found 481 pupils from across Croydon were excluded for either physically assaulting or verbally abusing teaching staff in 2009/10.

Tim Richardson, Engage in Education Project Coordinator in Croydon, said: "We have a unique approach to addressing young people's barriers to learning in the classroom.

"We will use our tried and tested mentoring and keyworking activities to help keep children where they should be- in school."