An exclusion is when a Head Teacher decides to send a pupil home from school or Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) as a disciplinary measure. Only the Head Teacher (or, in the absence of the Head Teacher, the Acting Head Teacher) can exclude a pupil.
What kinds of exclusions are there?
How am I told that my child has been excluded?
What are my responsibilities as a parent during exclusions?
How many times can my child be excluded?
How can I have my say about the exclusion?
What is the role of the school governing body/ PRU management committee?
Can I appeal against a permanent exclusion?
Where can I get more information?
Other information you may find useful
Contact the Education Welfare Service
There are two types of exclusion, fixed period and permanent.
Head Teachers must contact parents on the day the decision is made to exclude their child, ideally by phone. A letter must follow confirming the details of the exclusion and how parents can have their say to the school governing body or the PRU management committee.
If your child is of compulsory school age, for the first 5 days of any exclusion:
Fixed period exclusions are limited to a cumulative total of 45 days in any one academic year (lunchtime exclusions count as ½ days). This total applies to the child and not to the school or PRU they attend. Therefore, if a pupil changes school or PRU during an academic year, any previous exclusion’s in that academic year count towards the limit of 45 days.
Firstly, you may wish to talk to discuss the exclusion with the Head Teacher.
The school governing body/PRU management committee must consider any views you wish to put about the exclusion.
You can put your views:
Details of how you can have your say to the school governing body/PRU management committee will be sent to you in the exclusion notification letter.
Pupils who are aged 18 or over can make their own representations.
Schools and pupil Referral Units (PRU’s) have a committee whose role is to consider exclusions imposed by the Head Teacher. It has at least three members and a clerk to organise its meetings. The Head Teacher cannot be a member.
The committee must decide “on the balance of probabilities” whether your child has done what has been alleged and whether the Head Teacher’s decision to exclude was justified based on the evidence.
The committee must send you written confirmation of its decision within one school day of its meeting. A note will be placed on your child’s school file together with copies of relevant papers.
Yes, you have a right of appeal if the school governing body/PRU management committee decide not to reinstate your child in school/PRU. The letter of decision will give details on how to appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel and will include an Exclusion Appeal Leaflet and Notice:
You can contact the Education Welfare Service
The Newcastle Education Welfare Service (EWS) will:
If you would like to talk to someone about your concerns, all Education Welfare staff can be contacted at:
The Education Welfare Service,
Children's Services Directorate,
The Newcastle Springfield Centre,
Off Blakelaw Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE5 3HU
Phone: 0191 277 4500
Fax: 0191 277 4515
E-mail: ews.education@newcastle.gov.uk