EDUCATION chiefs have admitted they must do better to improve Darlington's poor record on school exclusions.

Figures released by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) show that the education authority's schools permanently expelled 29 youngsters in the school year 1998/99.

This leaves Darlington ranked 36th highest from more than 150 local education authorities across the country.

Targets have now been set for the authority by the DfEE in a bid to cut the number of exclusions and also improve attendance.

A total of £310,000 has also been given to the borough by the Government for the year 2000/1 aimed at funding projects to combat the problem.

Overall, the number of permanent exclusions in Darlington has been dropping over the last three years since 36 pupils were expelled in 1996/97.

However, in a report to the lifelong learning scrutiny committee, director of education Geoff Pennington says more still must be done.

He says: "In a national context permanent exclusions in Darlington are high.

"While the figures show a gradual improvement, there is still much work for schools and the borough to achieve."

Mr Pennington adds that the problem of permanent exclusions is largely an issue for secondary schools and stresses that most young people "attend and behave well, and achieve their potential".

Gail Bowen, assistant director of education services at Darlington Borough Council, said: "Schools in Darlington have been successful recently in reducing exclusions and they all have plans to reduce exclusions still further."

In the North-East, 562 pupils in 1998/99 were permanently excluded from primary, secondary and special schools from a figure of more than 10,000 across the country. Only Newcastle and North and South Tyneside have a higher percentage of exclusions.

Research has shown that those most at risk from exclusion include children with special educational needs, pupils from ethnic minorities and pregnant schoolgirls.

Typical reasons for exclusion are threatening behaviour, assaults on pupils and teachers, disruptive behaviour and drug-related misdemeanours