Suspension from school

What does a suspension mean?

Suspensions, formally known as fixed period exclusions, mean the headteacher has decided that, because of your child's behaviour, they are not allowed in school for a set number of days for disciplinary reasons.

Suspensions must not exceed 45 days in a school year, either as a single suspension or as a combination of shorter suspensions.

A suspension can be issued for just a lunchtime period. A lunchtime suspension counts as a half-day suspension. If your child is entitled to free school meals, the school must make alternative arrangements, such as providing a packed lunch.

How will I be told about the suspension?

The school will contact you about the suspension. This should be followed up as soon as possible with a letter which includes:

• the reason for the suspension
• length and time of the suspension and date of return
• how your child's education will continue
• details for setting and marking work for your child to do during the first five days of any suspension
• details of alternative provision the school puts in place from day 6 of longer suspensions
• your right to challenge a suspension, how to do this and how your child may be involved
• how to appeal the decision

Do I have any say in the matter?

You can request an appointment with the headteacher to discuss your concerns and to ask them to reconsider the suspension. Sometimes you may ask members of the governing body to scrutinise the headteacher's decision. The governing body must consider any comments you wish to make, but the rules vary depending on the duration of the suspension. When you receive a letter about the suspension, follow the instructions in the letter on how to appeal the decision to the governors.

For suspensions of 1 to 5 days in a term

The governors must consider anything you wish to say about the suspension decision, and may meet with you. They cannot overturn the suspension, but might put a note on file if they did not agree with the suspension. There is no specific time limit for when this meeting should take place, but it should be held promptly.

For suspensions of 6 to 15 days in a term

You have a right to request that governors meet within 50 school days of the suspension and hear your views. The governors can either uphold the suspension or overturn it. If the suspension has already ended when the governors consider it and the governors do not uphold it, they will record this on the pupil's file.

More than 15 days in a term

The governors must meet within 15 school days, whether you request it or not. You will be invited to the meeting. The governors will either uphold or overturn the suspension.

If you go to a meeting with the headteacher or with governors, you might find it helpful to write down your views about the suspension. You can send this in writing before the meeting or take it with you to the meeting and read it out. It is up to you whether your child attends the meeting, and if so, what role they will play. For example, if they are willing/able to answer questions or make a statement on their own behalf to the governors. They do not have to speak at the meeting if they do not want to, nor do they have to sit through the whole meeting. If you or your child becomes upset during the meeting, you can ask for a short break.

I've been asked to take my child home or keep them out of school, but no exclusion has been issued – Is that ok?

A pupil can only be sent home if they are formally suspended for a disciplinary reason. Pupils cannot be sent home for any other reason, e.g. because they need to cool off, or because they are not coping well with a particular activity, unless you are advised that they are medically unwell, in which case it would be appropriate for you to take them home. This is then recorded as an authorised absence.

In some exceptional cases, schools and parents may agree on a short period of reduced hours provision where a pupil attends for a part of the school day to support their reintegration into full-time provision. This can only occur for a short time, with the agreement of parents and must be reported to the Local Authority by the school.

If you are concerned that your child is being sent home from school unlawfully, you can contact the Exclusion and Reintegration Team or seek legal advice from The Children’s Legal Centre. They aim to provide free legal advice and information to parents on state education matters. They can be contacted on 0808 802 0008 or at Children's Legal Centre. The advice line is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, except on Bank Holidays and from 24 December to 1 January.

What happens to my child's education during a suspension when my child is suspended up to five days?

For the first five days of any suspension, you are responsible for supervising your child during school hours. You must ensure that he/she is not present in a public place during school hours without good reason. You are liable to a penalty notice (a fine) if your child is found in a public place without good cause.

What about schoolwork?

The school is responsible for setting and marking work during this period, and you may be asked to collect and deliver it for marking.

What happens if the suspension is longer than five days?

The school is responsible for making full-time provision beyond five days. This may, under some circumstances, be on the school site.

What does "full-time provision" mean?

Full-time provision may not be the same number of hours as a pupil would typically be in school. Any reduction in hours from full-time must be discussed with you as part of a proposed reintegration plan. This should focus on your child / young person's needs at that particular time.

The letter I received refers to a "reintegration meeting". What is this?

It is good practice for schools to arrange a reintegration meeting for you and your child following any suspension. The purpose of this meeting is to enable a successful return to school for your child. This meeting should focus on the support the school will put in place for your child so that they will not be excluded again. A school cannot refuse to re-admit a pupil without a reintegration meeting.

The meeting must be arranged between days one and 15 of the suspension's start date. The headteacher or a senior member of staff will attend, and at least one parent or carer is expected to attend. Your child will usually participate in part or all of the meetings.

During a reintegration meeting, the school should communicate to the pupil that they are valued and that their previous behaviour should not be seen as an obstacle to future success.

A reintegration meeting gives you the chance to support your child's return to school. Examples of how you could do this include:

• getting involved in planning and setting targets for your child if they are suspended
• looking at a pupil planner or report every evening
• talking to your child about their learning and progress, and praising success
• making sure that you support the school's behaviour policy by using similar rules at home
• attending parents' meetings and contacting your child's tutor/teacher when problems arise
• letting the school know what strategies you use at home and what seems to work with your child

I cannot attend on the day the school has set the meeting

The school should try to arrange the meeting at a time and date convenient to you and the school.

What will happen if I do not attend?

The suspension cannot be extended, but it may make a successful return for your child more difficult. Additionally, your failure to attend will be recorded and could be considered if the school or Local Authority applies to a magistrate's court for a Parenting Order.

What if I do not cooperate with the suspension?

The school will consider your child's safety in deciding what action to take. This will depend on his/her age and ability. However, in some circumstances, Police or Community Support Officers or Social Care could become involved. If you continue to refuse cooperation, the school or Local Authority may apply for a Parenting Order.

How can I help prevent further suspensions

• attending any reintegration meeting and planning with staff to avert future incidents
• keeping in regular contact with your child's class teacher, tutor or head of year
• ensuring that you and your child are involved in any future meetings

My child has special educational needs (SEN), does that make a difference and where can I get advice?

If your child has Special Educational Needs, you may feel that the school should have provided more support, which might have averted some of the difficulties, or that the school is discriminating against your child and excluding them because of their disability or that the disability was a contributing factor.

Suspension should be the last resort for a pupil with SEN. Under the Equality Act, disabled children should not be excluded for reasons connected to their disability. For example, a pupil with Tourette's Syndrome should not be excluded for swearing.

If your child has Special Educational Needs, it might be helpful for the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) to be at the integration meeting following a suspension. For more information, contact the SEN officer.

These meetings can be a very difficult time for parents and you can take someone you know to support you at the meeting, ask SENDIASS for help and advice.