Saturday, February 4 2012
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School Exclusions - Information for parents and carers

Q Where can I get further information and advice?
A

Please contact any of the following if you require further assistance:-

  • School Exclusions Team - Tel: 01924 307403
  • Parent Advice and Mediation Service - Tel: 01924 251372
  • Parent Partnership Service (If your child has SEN) - Tel: 01924 303662
  • Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) Exclusion Helpline - Tel: 0808 800 5793
  • Equality and Diversity Service - Tel: 01924 303674
Q What are Exclusions?
A

There are 3 types of exclusion:-

  • Permanent : means your child cannot go back into the school again, unless reinstated by a meeting of the Discipline Committee
  • Fixed Term : last for a specific number of days but cannot be longer than 45 days in the school year
  • Lunchtime : means exclusion from social time only. If you are concerned about the number of lunchtime exclusions your child has received, please contact any of the numbers given in the 'further information and advice' answer.

Unofficial, indefinite period or ‘cooling off’ periods of exclusion from school have no legal status.
Q Who can exclude a pupil from school?
A Normally, only the headteacher, can exclude a pupil, but a senior teacher, acting in the Head’s absence can exclude a pupil.
Q What happens if my child has been given a fixed term exclusion?
A

If your child has been given a fixed term exclusion, they will be expected to stay away from school for the amount of time specified. The school should notify you of the exclusion immediately by telephone and then follow this up as soon as possible by letter, which will include details of why your child has been excluded and for how many days.

A meeting of the Governor Behaviour and Discipline Committee will be arranged if your child has been excluded for more than 5 days in one term. You and your child will be able to attend this meeting.

During the exclusion, the school must still set and mark work for your child and the school will advise you on arrangement and collection. If your child is due to sit a public examination such as a GCSE, then this should not be affected.
Q What if the exclusion is permanent?
A The school should notify you of the exclusion immediately by telephone and then follow this up as soon as possible by letter, which will include details of why your child has been excluded and an invitation to attend the Governor Behaviour and Discipline Committee meeting. This means that the Headteacher is recommending to the Governing Body that your child should be permanently excluded from school. The final decision about whether your child will be permanently excluded will be made by this meeting. This meeting should take place within 15 school days of the exclusion
Q Who attends the meeting?
A There must be at least 3 School Governors, plus a Clerk, the Headteacher and a representative from the Local Education Authority. You will be able to attend with your child to present your case and you can bring a friend, family member or representative for support.
Q What happens at the meeting?
A

The written statements from the school and any other written statements should be presented to all who attend, prior to the meeting. If presented at the meeting, sufficient reading time will be allowed. You may ask the Clerk for further reading time if you need it.

You may wish to make representation against the exclusion. You should have constructed a clear case for your child and be prepared to answer questions from the Headteacher and members of the committee. You will have an opportunity within the meeting to state the case for your child. If your child attends they will be allowed to speak to the committee. You can also ask questions of the Headteacher and the committee.

After the meeting, the governors will make a decision and the Clerk will send the letter to notify you. If the decision is to uphold the exclusion then this will mean that your child is unable to return to the school.
Q If my child has been permanently excluded, who will be responsible for their education?
A Following the meeting, an LEA officer will be in contact with you and your child to discuss alternative educational provision for your child.
Q Can I appeal against the decision of the Behaviour and Discipline Committee?
A

You have the right to appeal against the decision of the Behaviour and Discipline Committee if they decide not to reinstate your child. You must state your intention to do this within 15 school days from the date that you receive the decision letter from the Behaviour and Discipline Committee. Details of how to do this will be with a letter that you will receive from the LEA, together with an appeal form.

Your appeal must be in writing.

When you have notified the LEA that you intend to appeal, they will arrange for your case to be heard by an Independent Appeal Panel. This meeting will be held within 15 school days of receipt of your appeal form. The panel is made up of a group of people who have had no previous involvement with your case and have no connection with the school.

The Independent Appeal Panel meeting will be attended by a representative from the school, from the LEA and also a school governor. You and your child should attend the appeal panel meeting and present your case. After the meeting, the Appeal Panel will make their decision and you will be notified of this in writing. The Panel’s decision is final.