SWINDON’S two main colleges took action against more then 100 students over the past 12 months for disciplinary problems ranging from poor attendance to criminal convictions.

At New College, seven students were expelled after being disruptive, getting into trouble with the police or showing a lack of commitment.

Two were connected to criminal convictions and the remainder followed final warnings and breaches of contracts outlining standards of behaviour that are signed by all students.

Four students had a period of suspension prior to a disciplinary hearing, including one which was for six weeks and involved the police.

Those told to leave were classed as ‘withdrawn’ by the college, though the same term was used by Swindon College this week for students who left of their own accord or by ‘mutual agreement’.

At New College, which provided figures for 2011-2012, acceptable standards of attendance, behaviour and commitment are set down by a contract signed by new starters.

Curriculum director Chris Hale said: “The contract sets out clear guidelines right at the start for things like attendance, time-keeping and behaviour. Where students have issues we will find out what is causing them.

“If a student is asked to leave it will be because they have gone through all the processes to find out what is wrong and had their final warning or have done something which constitutes gross misconduct. In general behaviour has got better since the contracts have been in place.”

Twelve students with a poor disciplinary record left Swindon College between last September and March, either of their own accord or by mutual consent.

The withdrawn list included seven who had problems with “disengagement” and five who failed to attend regularly. The college did not provide details of police involvement, though criminal proceedings are understood to have been brought against one student.

Form tutors also gave out 126 ‘stage one’ warnings which cover offences such as smoking or inappropriate language and do not involve parents or carers.

The college issued 30 ‘stage two’ warnings including for three cases of fighting, one of theft and an unspecified number for missed deadlines.

At present there are 10 students at the final disciplinary level, figures released after a Freedom of Information Act request by the Adver show.

Amanda Burnside, director of marketing and services to students, said: “If they can’t abide by the rules we will say this might not be the right setting for them, and in the vast majority of cases they will agree.”