THE number of children permanently excluded from school rose again last year, but the increase was less dramatic than had been feared. Permanent exclusions increased by less than 2 per cent from 12,500 in 199596 to 12,700 in 199697. The rate of increase has slowed dramatically since 199495, when the total was 11,100.
The figures also show that more than half of all four-year-olds are in primary school reception classes, with only 23 per cent in nursery schools or nursery classes.
