Information for parents
Good discipline in schools is vital to give the best learning environment for all pupils.
The decision to exclude a pupil is a very serious matter and must be:
- lawful
- reasonable
- fair
Only the school head teacher, or delegated authority, can exclude pupils. They may decide to exclude a pupil only when they are sure that:
- the pupil has broken the school’s behaviour policy (the school rules)
- the pupil remaining in school would have serious harm to their education or welfare
- the pupil remaining in school would have serious harm to the education or welfare of others
A school can suspend pupils (half a day to 45 days) or permanently exclude them.
If the school suspends a pupil they must name a date when the pupil can return. Exclusions should be as short as possible so that the pupils' education is not disrupted.
The school must provide work that the pupil can do at home for the first five days of the suspension. The school must arrange an alternative placement from the sixth day. This is usually at another school in the city. If the exclusion is permanent, we will provide this.
During the exclusion, the child must not come on to the school premises at any time, including during:
- breaks
- lunchtimes
- before and after school
They will not be able to use school transport for that period.
Permanent exclusions should always be a last resort. There will be exceptional circumstances where it is appropriate to permanently exclude a child for a first or one-off offence.
Information for schools
Notification of a child's exclusion
When a headteacher excludes a pupil, they must immediately notify the parent (or pupil if aged 18). This should be first by telephone and then followed up by a letter.
Notifying the parent in writing depends on when the pupil is excluded:
- When the exclusion is at the end of the afternoon session and starts the next school day. The school must notify the parents before the start of the day.
- When the exclusion is in the morning session and starts from that afternoon. The school must notify the parents before the start of the afternoon session.
- When the exclusion is in the afternoon session and starts that afternoon. The school must notify the parents by the end of the afternoon session.
School should not send a pupil home for part of a day without taking action to exclude/suspend the child. This ‘cooling-off period' has no basis in law. Informal or unofficial exclusion is illegal even if the parents or carers agree to it. This ‘cooling-off period' has no basis in law. Informal or unofficial exclusion is illegal even if the parents or carers agree to it.
Notification of Permanent Exclusion
Only Headteachers should submit a notification to us. The notification should be for Lawnswood or Alternative Provision programme. The pupil must have been permanently excluded.
Complete the form in full to make sure that decisions are timely, transparent and fair.
The organisation receiving the child will use the information to plan
- admission
- support
- interventions
When completing the form:
- Include any extra information you feel will secure the best interests of the pupil.
- Identify the pupil's positive attributes.
- Highlight strategies that have been successful in helping the pupil.
- Make sure the Headteacher has signed the form
Submit exclusion or suspension notification