Exclusion
When is it appropriate to exclude a pupil from school? What are the procedures
for dealing with appeals? How does a headteacher communicate effectively with
parents in such difficult circumstances? In all cases there are many issues to
consider, and the need for an established framework is apparent. The DCSF has
drawn up detailed guidance on when and how exclusion should be implemented, and
procedures for appeals against exclusion.
2008 exclusions guidance
Improving behaviour and attendance: Guidance on exclusion from schools and
pupil referral units (2008) came into effect on 1 September 2008. You can
read
the 2008 guidance online.
Download useful flowcharts underlining the exclusion process:
- exclusion appeal
- fixed-term exclusion
- good practice before considering exclusion
- permanent exclusion.
Training materials
The following training materials are available:
- exclusions pack for members of Appeals Panels
- exclusions pack for clerks and chairs
- an example of a parents' guide to the appeals process.
Guidance on unofficial exclusion
The latest exclusions guidance makes it clear that removing pupils
from school for disciplinary reasons, without following formal procedures, is
illegal. A note of good practice is now available for
LAs and schools on managing and reducing unofficial exclusions.
Parental measures for behaviour and attendance
Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, parenting orders are
available following a permanent exclusion or a second fixed-term exclusion
within 12 months. Read more about parental
measures for behaviour and attendance.
Black and minority ethnic exclusions
The DCSF is continuing to focus on disproportionate exclusions of black
Caribbean and mixed white/black Caribbean pupils. Following the priority
review, Exclusion of black pupils priority review:
Getting it. Getting it right, the Department ran a project in 2007/08
to reduce exclusions of those pupils. A DVD and training handbook on reducing disproportionate exclusions
of black Caribbean and mixed white/black Caribbean pupils was published in
2009.
Guidance for school partnerships to improve behaviour and persistent
absence
All secondary schools, including special schools, pupil referral units (PRUs),
academies, and city technology colleges (CTCs) should work in partnership to
improve behaviour and tackle persistent absence. Funding is often devolved or
delegated from the LA to enable the partnership to commission a range of
support and provision for pupils with challenging behaviour or attendance
levels. Read the DCSF's Guidance
for school partnerships to improve behaviour and persistent
absence.
Exclusion data
The latest exclusion data for the academic year 2007/08 was published in July
2009 and can be downloaded from the National Statistics website.
Information for parents
Information on exclusion for parents is available from the 'School discipline and exclusions' area of DirectGov,
and the Advisory Centre for
Education (ACE) website.
Last updated: 13 November 2009
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