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 they are 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 your child is at risk of permanent exclusion
Our Alternative Learning and Progression service will work with the school and yourself to try to prevent your child from being permanently excluded.
The school should 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.
Permanent exclusion should not normally be used for a first serious incident unless the headteacher feels that they must take action immediately to protect the pupils and staff in the school. Even then they must take time to consider the matter carefully and use permanent exclusion as a last resort.
If your child has a a statement for special educational needs
The school should ask the local education authority (LEA) to review the statement if your child is at risk of permanent exclusion. You'd be invited to the review meeting, where other ways of dealing with your child's behaviour can be discussed to try to avoid permanent exclusion.
How you are told about your child being permanently excluded
Once the headteacher has decided to permanently exclude your child they should contact you immediately to explain their decision. They 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 the LEA who can advise you and the phone number of the national Advisory Centre for Education
If you disagree with your 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.
The Discipline Committee is made up of three to five of the school's governors. They follow guidance from the government and the LEA to decide whether exclusion is being carried out correctly in the school.
What happens at the Discipline Committee meeting
The school may present evidence about:
- your child's educational ability
- your child's behaviour
- your child's social background
- the facts surrounding the incident which led to the permanent exclusion
The LEA will give its view and say whether it feels that permanent exclusion is appropriate or not. You'll receive copies of this information in advance of the hearing.
The governors will consider the views of the school, you and your child and the LEA. The governors can decide to uphold your child's permanent exclusion or allow your child to return to school.
Appeal to an independent appeal panel
If the governors uphold the permanent exclusion, you can appeal to an independent appeal panel. You can do this by contacting the Alternative Learning and Progression Service.
Contact the Alternative Learning and Progression Service
Address:
Cutenhoe Road Learning Park Cutenhoe Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3NJ
Telephone: 01582 548385
Email: ALPSAdmin@luton.gov.uk
National related links
This includes: