Information » Education » In School 11-16 » Exclusion

• Exclusion or being excluded from school means that the school orders that you can-not attend school.

• A pupil who breaks an important school rule or commits a criminal offence in school can be excluded by the Headteacher.

• The decision to exclude a pupil is taken very seriously and usually used only as a last resort, when allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.

• Although some people may think that being ordered not to attend school is their dream come true, exclusion is actually a very serious thing to have on your record.

• Being excluded can mean you miss out on your education and it can go against you if you apply for a job or course elsewhere in the future.

There are two types of exclusion

• Fixed term - when a pupil is barred from attending school for a set period of time this maybe certain days of the week or for a set number of days, weeks or months. The total length of fixed exclusions must not be for more than 45 school days in a school year.

• Permanent - when a pupil is barred from attending that school ever again.

There is a national standard list of reasons for exclusion which includes:

• physical assault

• verbal abuse

• bullying

• racist abuse

• sexual misconduct

• drug, alcohol or substance abuse

• damage

• theft

• continuing bad behaviour or breaking of school rules

• one off cases of truancy, forgetting homework, wearing jewellery or breaking school uniform rules are not reasons for exclusion.

What happens if you are excluded?

• There are Government guidelines which set out what should happen when someone is excluded.

• The Headteacher must carry out a full investigation of the incident that has lead to exclusion.

• Your parents or carer must be told immediately.

• Your parents or carer should receive a letter from the head explaining the reasons for exclusion, if it is permanent or how long it will last and how they can appeal against it if they feel the exclusion is unjust.

• On appeal the school governors can approve the exclusion or order that you can re-attend school.

• A further appeal can be made to a local panel.

• It is important to appeal as soon as possible and within the time set out in the letter.

• All pupils aged 11 and above also have the right to appeal against an exclusion.
• All excluded pupils' views have a right to be heard at the Governing Body's Pupil Disciplinary Committee and Independent Appeal hearings. This may be in person, in writing or any other practical format.
• Current guidance documents state that the pupil and parents are entitled to attend a hearing of the Independent Appeal Panel and present their case, either in writing or in person.

Further information and advice

• The Advisory Centre for Education - offers free telephone advice on exclusion Mon-Fri 2.00pm - 5.00pm Tel: 0808 800 0327 www.ace-ed.org.uk. A bilingual booklet "Having your say" A young person's guide to exclusion, is available from ACE in hard copy or to download from the website.
• The full Welsh Assembly Government guidance on exclusions is contained in the WAG Circular No. 001/2004 Exclusion from Schools and Pupil Referral Units, available at http://wales.gov.uk