Exclusion
"I had a problem with Janine almost as soon as I started school. She was always bothering me and winding me up. In class, she called me a stupid slag and I told her that if she didn’t shut her mouth, I’d shut it for her. After class we had a big fight – lots of other kids were around us. She pushed me and I punched her, and broke one of her teeth. It’s not fair that I was the one who got excluded."
Layla, 14
What is exclusion?
Exclusion is when a student is told they cannot come to school, either for a fixed term, that is, for a certain period, which could be anything from a few hours up to 45 days in one school year. The length of time for a fixed term exclusion should be for the shortest time necessary, as it becomes more difficult for children to come back into school after a few days exclusion.
Pupils can also be excluded permanently, because of their behaviour. But it is the end of a long road, and should never be used lightly by a school. Schools have to keep to very strict rules about how and when they exclude students.
Permanent exclusion is a very serious move, and can only ever be done as a last resort, if all else has failed. A child can be permanently excluded because of a first offence if the offence is very serious, for example:
- serious actual or threatened violence against another pupil or a
- member of staff
- supplying illegal drugs;
- carrying an offensive weapon such as a knife; or
- sexual misconduct.
What happens if the school decides to exclude your child?
Once the Head has decided to exclude your child, you should be notified immediately, preferably by phone. The Head should then confirm this in a letter within a day. Your child may be sent home immediately but the Head must bear in mind your child’s age and vulnerability, whether you are at home and whether your child would be placed at risk by, for example, being left to wander the streets.
The Head’s letter should explain:
- that your child must not come into school during the period of the exclusion;
- why they have excluded your child, including details of the incident that prompted it;
- what schoolwork will be arranged for your child;
- that you have the right to a copy of your child’s school records; and
- that, if you disagree with the exclusion, you have the right to put your case to the school’s Governing Body (generally the Discipline Committee).
What can you do if the school wants to exclude your child?
If you disagree with the exclusion, you have the right to tell the school governors why, in a letter and, if the period of exclusion adds up to more than five days that school year, face to face at a governors’ hearing. If you want to do this, you first need to write to the Clerk of the Governing Body – their contact details should be in the Head’s letter.
If the exclusion is for five days or less, the governors do not have the power to allow your child to go back before the end of the exclusion, but they can do so if your child has been excluded for a total of five and a half days or more, or if your child will miss a public examination. The meeting of the governors may not happen before your child goes back to school, but it will still give you an opportunity to state your views and the governors can put their views about the exclusion on your child’s school record. You have the right to attend this meeting.
If the Governing Body upholds the decision of the Head to permanently exclude your child, you have the right to appeal.
You should receive a letter explaining how to appeal within 15 days of receiving the decision of the committee.
The Advisory Centre for Education has a useful booklet for parents whose child has been permanently excluded. It includes draft letters and guidance on what to say to challenge the exclusion. See ‘Links to further information’ on the right, or phone 020 7354 8318 for a copy.
