Suspension and Exclusion

What to do if your child is excluded from school 

Exclusion can be a very distressing experience for all involved and disrupts a child's education. If your child has been excluded, whether temporarily or permanently, you may be feeling worried about what you should do. By Gerry German, Director of the Communities Empowerment Network

Getting a copy of the school's exclusion guidelines

The first place to start is to make sure you are aware of what official guidelines say about exclusion and about how you can support your child. You need to obtain copies of the exclusion guidelines from your child's school, from the LEA, or from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). More...

Understanding the National Curriculum - The National Curriculum is the educational framework created by the government. More...

Foundation Stage - teaching for children aged 3 to 5. The Foundation Stage is your child's introduction to the National Curriculum. More...

Key Stage 1 - teaching for children aged 5 to 7. Key Stage 1 in the National Curriculum starts at the beginning of Year 1 and finishes at the end of Year 2. More...

Key Stage 2 - teaching for children aged 7 to 11. Key Stage 2 in the National Curriculum starts at the beginning of Year 3 and finishes at the end of Year 6. More...

Key Stage 3 - teaching for children aged 11 to 14. Key Stage 3 is known as the Secondary National Strategy in the National Curriculum. More...

Understanding SATs (Statutory Assessment Tests) - SATs or Statutory Assessment Tests are the tests your child will take to measure progression at the end of each key stage. More...

Free Worksheets - Practice makes perfect, so what better way to help your children get a head start in school, than to download our free printable worksheets? More...

Children's learning and ICT - What is ICT? ICT stands for Information Communication Technology. More...

Back to School - Is your child starting a new school year or preparing to join a new school? More...

Exclusion is the withdrawal of a child's privilege to attend school or school activities for a certain amount of time. It usually takes place when other disciplinary actions have been ineffective in correcting inappropriate behaviour.

Exclusion can be permanent (meaning a child can no longer continue his or her education at that school) or temporary (once known as suspension) for a few days or weeks.

Schools should make exclusion a last resort after trying other strategies to improve the child's behaviour. If your child has been permanently excluded from school, you are entitled to meet with the school's governing body to discuss your views on the matter. The school must explain how you can lodge an appeal, and your local authority has a commitment to help you find alternative suitable full-time education for your child from day 16 of the exclusion.

In this section you will find advice and guidance on suspension and exclusion, and ways you can support your child through this difficult time... more>