Exclusion from school

When issuing suspensions and permanent exclusions schools should follow the Department for Education Statutory Guidance

Suspensions from School (previously referred to as a Fixed Period Exclusion)

Head teachers may issue a suspension as a sanction where it is believed that the child has breached the school behaviour policy.

You should receive written notification from the school which will include the reason for the suspension, the period of time it covers and how you can make representation to the school governors should you disagree with the headteachers decision. If your child is suspended, they should not be in a public place during school hours.

Schools should send work home for the first five days of a suspension which should be returned to school for marking. Occasionally, your child may be suspended for more than five days. Schools must put full time education in place from the sixth school day. This is usually at another school or with an Alternative Provider (AP) until the end of the suspension. The school should notify us of the details.

Permanent Exclusion from School

Permanent Exclusion should only be used as a last resort. A decision to permanently exclude should only be taken in response to a serious breach or persistent breaches of the school behaviour policy and where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school. 

If the school is to issue a permanent exclusion they should let you know as soon as that decision has been made.

Every effort should be made to avoid the permanent exclusion of a pupil with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)/SEN or a child who is looked after. Schools should contact us as soon as they feel that a child is at risk of exclusion.

If a pupil is permanently excluded, school must provide work for the first five days and notify us.  From the sixth school day, the Local Authority where you live will put full time education in place for your child.

You can apply for another school place, but your child should attend the place provide by the Local Authority until they are on roll at a new school.

Schools must hold a Pupil Discipline Meeting (PDC) within 15 school days of a Permanent Exclusion for Governors to decide if the Head teacher’s decision is lawful, reasonable and fair. Schools have a statutory duty not to discriminate against pupils on the basis of protected characteristics, such as disability or race. Schools should give particular consideration to the fair treatment of pupils from groups who are vulnerable to exclusion.

If Governors uphold the decision and you would like to appeal, you have 15 days in which to lodge an appeal which will be heard by an Independent Review Panel.

Officers from the Education of Vulnerable Children Service are available to offer advice and guidance at all stages of the exclusion process.