Exclusion

In Luton a school should refer your child to our Alternative Learning & Progression service if they feel that your child is at risk of permanent exclusion

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 my child is at risk of permanent exclusion what happens?

Our Alternative Learning & 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.

Can my child be permanently excluded for a serious first incident?

Not normally. 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.

What if my child has 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 am I told that my child has been 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

What if I disagree with my 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.

What is the Discipline Committee?

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.

If the governors uphold the permanent exclusion, is there anything else I can do to return my child to school?

You can appeal to an independent appeal panel. To find out how to do this use the contact details at the bottom of the page.

National related links

• DFES exclusions
• DFES behaviour and attendance
• Advisory Centre for Education