It is the first stage in a wider review investigating how head teachers across England are using exclusions, and why some groups of children are more likely to be excluded than others. Mr Hinds commissioned  the review in March in response to rising school exclusion rates in recent years.

It will be led by former Children’s Minister, Edward Timpson CBE, and will consider the exclusion of groups of pupils that are identified in the national data as more likely to be excluded. Amongst others, this includes pupils from certain ethnic groups; those with special educational needs; and looked after children.

Last year, an  Adoption UK survey which received more than 2,000 responses revealed that adopted children in England are 20 times more likely to be permanently excluded. They are also 16 times more likely to be temporarily excluded in the first three years of primary school.

Following these findings, Adoption UK lobbied the government to collect data around adopted children’s performance at school. The charity used this call for evidence as an opportunity to  reiterate the need for official data on adopted children’s exclusions rates as well as offering a range of policy recommendations concerning adopted children’s educational provision.

Commenting on the review, Adoption UK’s chief executive Dr Sue Armstrong Brown said: “I hope as many adopters as possible will respond to the review - and encourage their children to do so where appropriate.

“The review is needed and timely, and I have high hopes that it will provide a powerful propellant to the debate around how our education system can develop to serve the children who most need an equal chance at school. And that includes adopted children.”