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A Guide To Exclusions
for Social Workers and Carers
Criteria For School Exclusions
- in response to a serious breach of the school's discipline policy;
- once a range of strategies has been tried and failed; e.g. Pastoral Support Programmes (PSPs)
and
- if allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in school.
Who can exclude?
- the Headteacher or those staff acting in place of the Headteacher (e.g.) Deputy Head or Senior Manager.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXCLUSION
Fixed Term Exclusion
- can last between 1 and 45 days
- definite date of return to same school given
- no pupil can be excluded for more than 45 days in one academic year.
Permanent Exclusion
- no date given to return to same school
What should happen
- parents/carers informed immediately:
1. telephone call (ideally)
2. followed by letter within one school day
- an exclusion should normally begin on the next school day
Letters about Fixed term and Permanent exclusions should explain:
- why the head teacher decided to exclude the pupil and the steps taken to try to avoid exclusion;
- the arrangements for enabling the pupil to continue their education, including setting and marking the pupil's work;
- the parent's right to state their case to the Governing Body's Discipline Committee;
- who the parents should contact if they wish to state their case (usually the Clerk to the Committee);
- the latest date the parent can put a written statement to the Discipline Committee;
- the parent's right to see their child's school record;
- if the exclusion is for a fixed period, the length of the exclusion and the date and time the pupil should return to school;
- if the exclusion is for lunchtimes only, the length of the exclusion (normally no more than five school days) and the arrangements for providing a meal for any pupil entitled to free school meals;
- if the exclusion is permanent, the date the permanent exclusion takes effect, and details of any relevant previous warnings, fixed period exclusions or other disciplinary measures taken before the present incident;
- the name and telephone number of a contact at the LEA who can provide advice on the exclusions process and the telephone number for the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) helpline (020 7704 9822).
All correspondence should be in plain English and avoid unnecessary jargon. Exclusion cases should be treated in the strictest confidence.
FIXED TERM EXCLUSIONS - What you should do:
- work in partnership with NT&AS teacher, school and other agencies;
- contact the Headteacher;
- discuss the exclusion. NB · Try to work with the school to help solve the problems that have arisen;
- look for the date and time when the young person should return;
- make arrangements to collect and return work to and from school.
Decide whether you wish to make representation to the Discipline Committee against the exclusion.
Work in partnership with The National Teaching and Advisory Service, and the school.
FIXED TERM EXCLUSIONS - What the school should do:
- make arrangements to provide young person with work and for it to be marked;
- inform you as to the steps being taken to allow the young person to continue their education during the period of exclusion;
- inform you as to how the school will reintegrate the young person into school at the end of the exclusion period.
PERMANENT EXCLUSIONS - What you should do:
- work in partnership with NT&AS teacher, school and other agencies;
- make appropriate arrangements to collect and return work for marking. The young person is entitled to work provided by the school;
- contact the LEA Education Officer to discuss the situation;
- attend the meeting, details for which will be sent to you;
- bring a representative or friend to the meeting to put your views and listen to the views of others;
- await the committee's decision within 24 hours of the meeting.
PERMANENT EXCLUSIONS - What the school should do:
- headteacher must notify the Education Officer (Pupil Services) at the LEA and the Clerk to the Governing Body Discipline Committee (name available from school) that the young person has been permanently excluded;
- the Committee must meet within 3 school weeks;
- details of the meeting will be sent to you;
- you will be invited to attend to give your views;
- you may bring a representative or friend;
- the Headteacher will be present at the meeting to give reasons for the exclusion;
- make a decision within 24 hours of the meeting
PERMANENT EXCLUSION - Appeals
Can I appeal a decision to exclude?
Yes, your appeal goes to an...
Independent Panel
- The exclusion letter should give further details on this procedure;
- The independent panel works in partnership with NT&AS teacher and School.
Can a permanently excluded young person go to another school?
Yes
The LEA has a responsibility to provide SUITABLE education for an excluded young person.
- the LEA Education Officer MUST contact you to arrange a meeting where OPTIONS for your child's education will be discussed.
FIXED TERM EXCLUSION - Appeals
Can I appeal?
Yes
- state your case to the School's Governing Body Discipline Committee
- contact the Education Officer (Pupil Services) at the LEA.
EXCLUSION FACTS
School Governing Body's Discipline Committee:
- must meet if exclusion is for MORE than 5 days in ONE term
- must review the exclusion
- will invite you to a meeting to listen to:
1. Your View
2. The Headteacher's View
3. The LEA's view
- a decision will be taken to EITHER:
1. Reinstate
or
2. Uphold the exclusion
This can be done retrospectively.
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