The headteacher of Oxfordshire's most ethnically-diverse school has criticised Government plans to segregate young asylum seekers from the rest of society.

Ian Johnson with young asylum seekers Hekuran Beresha, 15, and Edmir Hysa, 14 Ian Johnson, head of Oxford School, said refugee children should be educated in mainstream schools for as long as possible -- even if they are later returned to their original countries.

His comments followed calls by the Home Secretary David Blunkett, for young asylum seekers to be educated at accommodation centres rather than schools.

Mr Blunkett recently claimed in an interview with the BBC that asylum seekers threatened to "swamp" schools. He has been criticised by charities and Labour backbenchers over his Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, which seeks to segregate children of asylum seekers from pupils at mainstream schools.

More than 30 asylum seekers -- including Afghans and Kosovans -- have arrived at Oxford School, in Glanville Road, east Oxford, in the past two years, representing more than five per cent of the school population.

More than 30 nationalities are represented at the school.

Mr Johnson said: "It worries me when people talk of segregation.

"All children have the right to a quality education, and if they are here, they need to be in school for as long as possible. Six months spent out of school is six months lost. "Young people need to be in school, learning and meeting people, as part of the community. The more contact they have with other students the better, and we give them as much support as possible."

Lucy Clarke, a project worker for asylum seekers from the Children's Society, based at Oxford School, defended the school's policy of inclusion. She said: "It is an extraordinary school, which is doing amazing things for students. It is developing an expertise and provides tailor-made learning packages."

Student Roland Deliallisi, 17, a refugee from Kosovo now living in east Oxford, is sitting his GCSEs at Oxford School. He said: "When I came here a year and a half ago I didn't speak any English. It is hard, but I am improving."