Teachers are referring five pupils per day to the government's anti-radicalisation programme in a bid to steer them away from terror, figures show.
More than 1,000 school-aged children in the UK were referred to the Channel programme scheme amid fears of suspected extremist behaviour in the past year.
That equates to more than five children being referred per day. In 2012 - the year that the scheme was rolled one - just nine children were referred.
Critics have said the figures, revealed by The Times on Tuesday demonstrate a tendency by teachers to over-refer.
In January, it was revealed a 10-year-old Muslim boy was quizzed by police after he mistakenly wrote that he lived in a 'terrorist house' rather than a 'terraced house'.
The following month, a 15-year-old boy was referred to police after clicking on the Ukip website in the classroom to research immigration.
Malia Bouattia, president of the NUS, said the programme thrives off 'confusion and paranoia'.
Since last July, under the government's counter-terror strategy, teachers have been legally obliged to report any suspected extremist behaviour to police as part of the anti-radicalisation strategy.
This can include support for extremist ideas that are 'part of terrorist ideology'.
The obligation, introduced under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, requires 'specific authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism.'
The law governs local authorities, police, prisons, health centres and education.
