CONFUSION reigns over the number of children expelled from school after figures released by the Government clashed with the council s despite getting them from the same source. According to figures released from the Department for Children, Schools and F

CONFUSION reigns over the number of children expelled from school after figures released by the Government clashed with the council's despite getting them from the same source.

According to figures released from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) the number of pupils excluded from maintained primary, secondary and special schools, CTCs, academies and non-maintained special schools rose from 70 in 2006/07 to 80 in 2007/08.

Both figures represented 0.18 percent of the total school population but according to Brent Council the number of pupils excluded in 2006/07 was 78 and the same again the following year.

The council also said that provisional figures for this year showed that the total was likely to fall to just 58.

A council spokesman said: "These figures do not accurately represent what's happening in Brent, and the 07/08 figures quoted on this website are an estimate.

"Our figures show that exclusions are going down and provisional figures for this year suggest there will be a significant drop.

"Brent Council works very closely with our schools and PRUs to reduce exclusions and that will continue to be a priority."

When the Times contacted the DCSF to find out why their figures were different and where they get them from, we were told that they were given them by the Brent Council themselves.

A spokeswoman said: "If there is a problem with the figures the Council has to write to the department to get them checked.