Exclusions from schools

If your child has been excluded or is facing the possibility of exclusion, then the following information may be helpful.

Only a headteacher (or person acting as the headteacher in their absence) can make the decision to exclude a pupil for a fixed period or permanently, and the decision should be taken only:

in response to serious breaches of a school's disciplinary policy; or
if allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or of others in the school.

What happens if my child has been excluded?

When the decision is made to exclude a pupil the 'relevant person', usually the parent or carer, should be notified immediately, ideally by telephone or other reasonable method, followed up by a letter within one school day.

If a pupil is 11 years or older the school should also send them a letter.

Parents and pupils will usually be invited to a meeting at school to discuss issues surrounding the exclusion.

There will also be an opportunity to meet with the governing body's Pupil Discipline Committee (PDC) to discuss the exclusion. The role of the Pupil Discipline Committee includes reviewing the use of exclusions in schools.

Exclusions of 1 - 5 days in a term:

Parents may ask to meet with the Pupil Discipline Committee. The Committee cannot direct reinstatement.

Exclusions of 6 - 15 days in a term:

Parents may ask to meet with the Pupil Discipline Committee. The Committee must meet no earlier than the 6th school day and no later than the 15th school day after the 1st day of the exclusion, if the parent/pupil requests a meeting.

Exclusions of 16 days or more in a term:

The Pupil Discipline Committee must meet no earlier than the 6th school day and no later than the 15th school day after the 1st day of the exclusion and parent/pupil must be invited to put forward their views.

Permanent exclusion:

Independent Appeal Panel

Where a Pupil Discipline Committee upholds a headteacher's decision to permanently exclude a pupil, the pupil and their parent will be given the right to appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel.

The following guidance is available for parents and pupils who are considering an Independent Appeal: