Permanent exclusion from school

1. Overview

Permanent exclusion

What does permanent exclusion mean?

Permanent exclusion means a child cannot go to the same school anymore. Only the Headteacher, Principal, or Acting Headteacher can decide this. If your child is permanently excluded, you can read our helpful guide:

When can a child be permanently excluded?

A child can be excluded permanently:

  • if they seriously break the school’s behaviour rules, or they keep breaking the rules again and again.
  • if keeping them in school would be unsafe or would harm the learning or safety of others at school.

How does permanent exclusion work?

The school will tell you as soon as possible if your child is permanently excluded. They will also send you a letter saying why. If your child has a social worker, they will be told too.

Sometimes the school might send your child home for a short time (this is called a suspension) while they check what happened. Then, if needed, they can decide on a permanent exclusion. The school might try something else instead of exclusion. If this does not work or can’t be done, they might still choose to exclude your child.

Can you disagree with the school’s decision?

If you do not agree with the decision, you can challenge it. The school’s letter will tell you how to challenge the decision.

What happens to your child’s learning?

For the first five days, the school should send work home for your child to do and mark it. After that, the local council will find a new place for your child to learn from the sixth day. This is called “alternative provision” and is often at a special school called a pupil referral unit.

Where can you get help?

The Governing Body meeting

The governors must meet to talk about certain exclusions from school. This meeting must happen within 15 school days after your child is excluded. This is a rule they must follow according to Regulation 24 of the Exclusion Regulations.

These exclusions need a review:

  • all permanent exclusions (when your child is not allowed back at school)
  • any suspension where your child misses more than 15 days in one term
  • if your child's exclusion means they miss a national test or exam

You will be asked to join this meeting, and you can bring someone with you, like a friend or helper. You can also send a letter to the governors before the meeting, and the school will tell you how to do this. If you want, you can ask to have the meeting online.

At the meeting, you can explain why you think your child should not have been suspended or permanently excluded. The governors might ask you some questions, too.

Advice and support

A guide for parents on school behaviour and exclusion - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Some organisations can help with exclusion advice:

Independent Review Panel

Independent Review Panel

If the Governing Body says your child must leave the school, you can ask the Independent Review Panel to look at the decision. You must write to ask for this within 15 school days after you get the decision letter.

The letter from the Governing Body will tell you where to send your request and will remind you about the deadline.

At the Independent Review Panel meeting, you can say why you think your child should not be excluded. You can also ask a friend or a lawyer to help you speak.

The Independent Review Panel can do three things:

  • decide your child should stay excluded (not allowed back in school)
  • ask the Governing Body to look at the decision again
  • tell the Governing Body to look again and think about letting your child return

The panel's decision is final. The pupil, parents, Governing Body, headteacher, local authority, and (for an academy) the Academy Trust must all follow the decision.

Questions on exclusion review process

Contact the East Sussex School Appeal Service:

Advice and support