NO doubt many readers were, like me, surprised by your report of the numbers of children excluded from York schools (Booted out, June 24).

After more careful reading of the articles I noticed it was only 26 who were permanently excluded.

That did put it in a slightly less dramatic light, although the analysis of reasons for exclusion are a sad commentary on our society.

What worries me is that for periods of time about 1,000 young people, excluded for assault, threatening or dangerous behaviour etc, may have been simply turned out on our streets where some of them would rather be in any case.

I suggest you send a reporter to do a follow-up article on what measures are taken when pupils are excluded; whether they are required to attend any courses elsewhere, and what has happened to the 26 permanently excluded?

Brian Gant,

Back Lane,

Wigginton, York.

Updated: 10:33 Wednesday, June 29, 2005