Suspension from school
If your child has been excluded, you can download our detailed guidance. Download the guidance:
A suspension is when a pupil is not allowed to attend school for a specific period of time.
Pupils can be suspended more than once. The total suspension time in a single school year cannot be more than 45 school days.
Schools should aim to avoid suspension by providing behaviour support in school. Schools should only exclude for disciplinary reasons.
They should not
- send your child home for disciplinary reasons without issuing a suspension
- suspend because they can’t meet your child’s special educational needs.
- suspend for something your child might do in the future
- suspend because of your actions as parents
How does the suspension process work?
Only the headteacher (or the most senior teacher in their absence) can suspend a pupil.
If a head teacher decides to suspend your child, the school will contact you by telephone as soon as possible. The school will also write to you explaining
- why your child has been suspended
- your rights to appeal
- when your child can return to school
The school will also notify the County Council about the suspension.
Can I appeal?
Suspension of 1–5 days in one term
The Governing Board must consider any comments you make about the suspension. But it does not have the power to decide whether to reinstate the pupil. They don’t have to arrange a meeting with you, but they may agree if you request it.
Suspension of 6–15 days in one term
You can ask the Governing Board to arrange a meeting to review the head teacher’s decision to suspend your child. They will only meet if you request it. They must consider your comments and have the power to overturn the exclusion.
Suspensions of 16 days or more in one term
The Governing Board must hold a meeting to review the head teacher’s decision within 50 days of the suspension. We advise you to attend.
Any Governing Board decision is final.
What happens to my child while they are out of school?
During the first five days of any suspension, the school must provide work and arrange to mark it. During this time, your child must not be in a public place (including public transport) without good reason. If your child is in a public place during this period you could get a penalty notice.
If your child is suspended for more than five days, from the sixth day the school must provide suitable alternative full time education for your child.