The number of pupils being expelled from Oxfordshire schools has fallen dramatically this year, bucking the national trend.

Headteacher David Jones of Gosford Hill school, where only one pupil has been expelled in three years

By the end of the summer term, it is expected that as few as 40 children will have been excluded -- down from 70 in each of the previous two years.

The figures for Oxfordshire are in contrast to a national rise of six per cent in expulsions, up to 10,000 pupils across the country last year.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for schools improvement Michael Waine said: "We are pleased with the fall in exclusions. The reason why our figures are low is the partnership work that's been going on between schools and parents, supported by the LEA.

"Permanent exclusion tends to mark people for life and it does affect their life chances.

"We applaud the positive work being done to hold them in the mainstream setting. But we are not holding young people with extreme behavioural difficulties in the system to the disadvantage of other children and are increasing the number of places for pupils with behaviour, emotional and social difficulties."

Projected figures for the current school year also indicate that schools in the county have improved their attendance figures.

The projected 2004-2005 figure for primary attendance, including authorised and unauthorised absences, is 95.12 per cent -- up from 95.11 per cent.

At secondary level, the percentage of days attended is 92.72 per cent -- up from 92.43.

Mr Waine also welcomed the improved attendance, but said the LEA planned to crack down on parents who take their children on holiday during term time.

Gosford Hill headteacher David Jones, where only one pupil has been excluded in three years, argued that the county's policy of transferring pupils between schools for a fresh start instead of excluding them could explain the low exclusion rate.