15.8% of nursery and primary school pupils taking free school meals in January 2004 (14.2 per cent in England)
- 11.7% of primary pupils did not have English as their first languagein January 2004 (11 per cent in England)
- 1.6% of primary pupils with special educational needs statements inJanuary 2004 (1.6 per cent in England)
- 0.11% of the school population excluded permanently in 2003/04 (0.13per cent in England)
Sheffield has been working hard to improve its support for minorityethnic children and children with special educational needs after bothwere criticised by Ofsted in the LEA's most recent inspection report in2000. Chief inspector Chris Woodhead said at the time: "The LEA musttake urgent steps to improve support for its most disadvantagedchildren."
Source: Department for Education and Skills.
