FIXED PERIOD AND PERMANENT EXCLUSIONS

1.Only the Headteacher or Head of School can exclude a pupil from the school

A decision to exclude a child for a fixed period or permanently is taken only:

  • in response to serious breaches of a school’s discipline policy; and
  • once a range of alternative strategies have been tried and have failed; and
  • if allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or of others in the school.

2.Length of fixed period exclusions

The law allows headteachers to exclude a pupil for up to 45 days in a school year. Individual exclusions will be for the shortest time necessary, bearing in mind that exclusions of more than a day or two make it more difficult for the pupil to

re-integrate into the school. In all cases of more than a day’s exclusion, work should be set and marked.

Educational provision during the exclusion:

The school has a duty to arrange suitable full-time educational provision from and including the 6thconsecutive day of the exclusion.

Where a Looked After Child is excluded provision should be in place from the 1st day of exclusion.

3.Permanent Exclusion

A decision to exclude a child permanently is a serious one. It can occur as a consequence of a “single serious incident”. More commonly it is a final step in the process for dealing with disciplinary offences when a wide range of other strategies has been tried and has failed, including the use of a Pastoral SupportProgramme.

4.Procedures for Excluding a Pupil

a)Parents are informed by telephone on the day that a decision to exclude has taken place.

A letter follows the telephone call within one school day.

The exclusion normally begins on the next school day. Letters about fixed period and permanent exclusions explain:

  • why the headteacher decided to exclude the pupil
  • the arrangements for enabling the pupil to continue their education, including setting and marking the pupil’s work;
  • the parent’s right to state their case to the Governing Body’s Discipline Committee;
  • who the parents should contact if they wish to state their case;
  • the latest date the parent can put a written statement to the Discipline Committee;
  • the parent’s right to see their child’s school record;
  • if the exclusion is for a fixed period, the length of the exclusion and the date and time the pupil should return to school for a Readmittance Interview;
  • If a pupil has accumulated more than 5 days of exclusions during a term the parents have the right to request a hearing, this will be reflected in the letter sent.
  • if the exclusion is for lunchtimes only, the length of the exclusion (normally no more than five school days) and the arrangements for providing a meal for any pupil entitled to free school meals;
  • if the exclusion is permanent, the date the permanent exclusion takes effect, and details of any relevant previous warnings, fixed period exclusions or other disciplinary measures taken before the present incident;
  • the name and telephone number of a contact at the LA who can provide advice on the exclusions process and the telephone number for the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) helpline.

b)The Headteacher informs the Governing Body’s Discipline Committee and the LA immediately of all permanent exclusions and exclusions which result in a pupil being excluded for more than five school day in any one term.

Short fixed term exclusions are reported to the LA and the Governing Body Discipline Committee.

c)The Discipline Committee cannot direct re-instatement for exclusion of fewer than 5 days.

d)The Discipline Committee confirms a Headteacher’s decision to exclude permanently; parents have a right to appeal to an independent appeal panel, which is set up by the Education Trust