Permanent Exclusion from School

Permanent Exclusion is a very serious matter...

...Only a school's headteacher can permanently exclude a pupil or a named deputy if the headteacher is out of school

A Headteacher may decide to permanently exclude a pupil only when he is sure that: 

• the pupil has seriously breached the school's discipline policy.
• if the pupil remains in school, it would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.     

If my child is at risk of permanent exclusion what happens?

In Cumbria a school should refer your child to the Education Welfare Service if they feel that your child is at risk of permanent exclusion.

An Education Welfare Officer will contact you.

They will work with the school and yourself to try to prevent your child from being permanently excluded.

The school can draw up a Pastoral Support Programme to outline ways of helping your child. This plan will be agreed with you and may set targets for the pupil, parent/carers, school and other support groups. 

Can my child be permanently excluded for a serious first incident?

Not normally. Permanent exclusion should not normally be used for a first serious incident unless the Headteacher feels that he must take action immediately to protect the pupils and staff in the school. Even then he/she must take time to consider the matter carefully and use permanent exclusion as a last resort. 

What if my child has emotional and behavioural difficulties, or a learning difficulty that affects their behaviour in school?

The school can ask the Local Authority (LA) to review the statement if your child is at risk of permanent exclusion. You would be invited to the review meeting. At the review meeting other ways of dealing with your child’s behaviour can be discussed to try to avoid permanent exclusion. 

What if my child has a statement for special Educational Needs?

The school may present evidence about your child's educational ability, behaviour and social background as well as the facts surrounding the incident which led to the permanent exclusion. The LA will give their view and say whether they feel that permanent exclusion is appropriate or not. You will receive copies of this information in advance of the hearing.

How am I told that my child has been permanently excluded?

Once the Headteacher has decided to permanently exclude your child he/she should contact you immediately to explain his/her decision. He/she should telephone you if possible on the day and the exclusion should normally begin the following day. 

The Headteacher should then write a letter to you within one school day that gives:   

• the reason for your child's permanent exclusion
• the steps taken to avoid permanent exclusion
• the date that the permanent exclusion begins
• arrangements for your child to have school work to do at home
• your right to see a copy of your child's school record
• your right to give your views on your child’s permanent exclusion at a meeting with school governors on the Discipline Committee
• a final date for you to send any written statements to the Discipline Committee before the meeting
• the phone number of someone in Children's Services who can advise you and the phone number of the national Advisory Centre for Education        

What if I disagree with my child's permanent exclusion?

You can put your views in writing and in person to school governors at a meeting of their discipline committee. The Clerk to the discipline committee will write to give you the date and time of the meeting.

What is the discipline Committee?

The Discipline Committee is made up of three to five of the school's governors. They follow guidance from the government and the Local Authority to decide whether exclusion is being carried out correctly in the school.

What happens at the Discipline Committee Meeting?

The Governors will consider the views of the school, you and your child and the Local Authority. The governors can decide to uphold your child’s permanent exclusion or allow your child to return to school.

If the governors uphold the permanent exclusion, is there anything else I can do to return my child to school?

You can appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel.

There is an Education Welfare Service leaflet that gives you more detail on how to make an appeal. In Cumbria the Education Welfare Service will give you information on the appeal process. However, Education Welfare Officers do not give support to parents and pupils at independent Appeals

Useful contacts:

The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

School Exclusion 020 7704 9822
Drugs in school 0800 8000 800

Government Publications free 0845 6022260, weekdays 9 am to 5 pm

On Exclusion: 

Circular 10/99 "Social inclusion: Pupil Support".
Circular 11/99 "The LEA role in Pupil Support".

On Special Education: 

Circular 9/94 "The Education of Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties".
"Special Educational Needs: a guide for parents".

On Drugs in schools:

Circular 4/95 "Drug Prevention and Schools".