MODEL LETTER 3
NOTIFYING A PARENT OF A FIXED TERM EXCLUSION
OF MORE THAN 15 SCHOOL DAYS IN TOTAL IN ONE TERM
On a report for a pupil, please delete this line and the above titles, then particularly check and amend as appropriate everything shown in bold. Before printing, highlight all text (CTRL A) and remove emboldening (CTRL B).
Mr and Mrs M ACKROYD
Flat 3 Flat 3A
Flat 3B Flat 3C Rotherfield Square
Hylton Red House
Sunderland
Tyne and Wear
SR5 5DQ
24/08/2017
Dear Mr and Mrs ACKROYD
RE: Maryanne Ackroyd (DOB 10-11-1995), known as [Mary Ackroyd-Jones - ONLY PUT IN IF DIFFERENT FROM LEGAL NAME]
I am writing to inform you of my decision to exclude Mary for a fixed period of 18.00 days. This means that Mary will not be allowed in school for this period. The exclusion begins/began on 08-01-2018 and ends on 31-01-2018.
I realise that this exclusion may well be upsetting for you and your family, but the decision to exclude Mary has not been taken lightly. Mary has been excluded for this fixed period because
· Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against a pupil, DfE code - VP
[for pupils of compulsory school age – use next 3 paragraphs]
You have a duty to ensure that your child is not present in a public place in school hours during the first five school days of exclusion, [specify the precise dates], unless there is reasonable justification for this. I must advise you that you may be prosecuted or receive a penalty notice from the local authority if your child is present in a public place on the specified dates. It will be for you to show that there is reasonable justification.
We will set work for Mary during the first 5 days of her exclusion [specify the arrangements for this]. Please ensure that work set by the school is completed and returned to us promptly for marking.
From the [the 6th day of the pupil’s exclusion {specify date}] until the expiry of her exclusion we will provide suitable full-time education. On [date] she should attend at [give name and address of the alternative provider if not the home school] at [specify the time – this may not be identical to the start time of the home school] and report to [staff member’s name]. (If applicable – say something about transport arrangements from home to the alternative provider). [If not known say that the arrangements for suitable full time education will be notified shortly by a further letter or by phone].
[School / PRU] As the length of the exclusion is more than 15 school days in total in one term the governing body / management committee must meet to consider the exclusion. At the review meeting you may make representations to the governing body / management committee if you wish. The latest date on which the governing body / management committee can meet is [date here– no later than 15 school days from the date on the governing body / management committee is notified]. If you wish to make representations to the governing body / management committee, and wish to be accompanied by a friend or representative, please contact the Governor Support Team, Room 1.62, Civic Centre, Sunderland, SR2 7DN, telephone: 561 2626, e-mail: as soon as possible. You will, whether you choose to make representations or not, be notified by the Clerk to the discipline committee / management committee of the time, date and location of the meeting. Please advise if you have a disability or special needs, which would affect your ability to attend or take part in a meeting at the school. Also, please inform [contact] if it would be helpful for you to have an interpreter present at the meeting.
You should be aware that if you think the exclusion relates to a disability your child has, and you think disability discrimination has occurred, you have the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). The address to which appeals/enquiries should be sent is SENDIST, First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), 1st Floor, Darlington Magistrates Court, Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RU. Making a claim would not affect your right to make representations to the governing body / management committee.
You and Mary are invited to attend a reintegration interview with me [alternatively, specify the name of another staff member] at New WE Development on [date] at [time]. If that is not convenient, please contact the school before your child is due to return to arrange a suitable alternative date and time. The purpose of the reintegration interview is to discuss how best your child's return to school can be managed. Failure to attend a reintegration interview will be a factor taken into account by a magistrates' court if, on future application, they consider whether to impose a parenting order on you.
You have the right to see and have a copy of Mary's school record. Due to confidentiality restrictions, you will need to notify me in writing if you wish to be supplied with a copy of Mary's school record. I will be happy to supply you with a copy if you request it. There may be a charge for photocopying.
You may wish to contact Michelle Burlinson, Access and Inclusion Officer (e-mail: or telephone: 561 1442) who can provide advice. Sources of free and impartial information can be obtained from the following;
· Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England – Statutory guidance, Department for Education – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusion
· School Discipline and Exclusions , Department for Education - https://www.gov.uk/school-discipline-exclusions/discipline
· Coram Children’s Legal Centre - http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/
· ACE Education - http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/
· National Autistic Society (NAS) Exclusion Service (England) - http://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/school-exclusions.aspx
· Independent Parental Special Education Advice - https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
· Traveller Education Services, the Information Advice and Support Service Network - https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-support-services-network
Mary's exclusion expires on 31-01-2018 and we expect Mary to be back in school on [date] at [time].
Yours sincerely
[Name]
Headteacher
cc [Name] - Chair of Governors
Governor Support Team – Sunderland City Council, Civic Centre, Sunderland SR2 7DN
Business Support – Exclusions, Together for Children, Sunderland City Council, Civic Centre, Sunderland SR2 7DN or .
Michelle Burlinson, Inclusion and Access Officer, Together for Children, Sunderland City Council, Civic Centre, Sunderland, SR2 7DN