Exclusions
Exclusions Information
Exclusions Useful Items
Exclusions Information
Managing Behaviour in Schools
Schools must have policies, procedures and staff training in place that promote good behaviour and prevent poor behaviour. Schools must publicise their behaviour policies and apply them in a consistent, rigorous and non-discriminatory way. In most cases exclusion will be the last resort after a range of measures have been tried to improve the pupil's behaviour. Only the head teacher, or teacher in charge of a PRU (or, in the absence of the head teacher or teacher in charge, the acting head teacher or teacher in charge) can exclude a pupil. Informal or unofficial exclusions are illegal regardless of whether they are done with the agreement of parents or carers.
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Pupils at Risk of Exclusion
The behaviour of pupils at risk of exclusion is sometimes driven by complex combinations of social, emotional and health problems, in which case, co-ordinated intervention from the Local Authority (LA) and other services should be requested. Pastoral Support Programmes (PSPs) are useful to help pupils change their behaviour. A PSP is particularly appropriate for those pupils whose behaviour is deteriorating rapidly.
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Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Other than in the most exceptional circumstances, schools should avoid permanently excluding pupils with statements. They should liaise with their LA about initiating an interim review of the pupil‘s statement. They should also make every effort to avoid excluding pupils who are being supported at School Action or School Action Plus. Schools should try every practicable means to maintain the pupil in school, including seeking LA and other professional advice and support at School Action Plus or, where appropriate, asking the LA to consider carrying out a statutory assessment.
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Alternatives to Exclusion
A number of options may be available to head teachers/teachers in charge in response to a serious breach of behaviour policy:
- Restorative justice
- Internal exclusion
- Mediation
- Managed move
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The Decision to Exclude
A decision to exclude a pupil permanently should only be taken:
- In response to serious breaches of the school‘s behaviour policy; and
- If allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.
Individual fixed period exclusions should be for the shortest time necessary, A decision to exclude a child permanently should only be taken where the basic facts have been clearly established on the balance of probabilities. It will usually be the final step in a process for dealing with disciplinary offences following a wide range of other strategies which have been tried without success. There will, however, be exceptional circumstances where, in the head teacher‘s/teacher in charge's judgment, it is appropriate to permanently exclude a child for a first or ‘one off’ offence.
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Exclusions Documents
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The Childrens Plan
: Young People : Family Support : Parents
The Children's Plan aims to make England the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up.
