Permanent exclusions are when a child is permanently barred from the school premises and their name removed from the school roll. Permanent exclusions should normally be a final (last resort) sanction following a range of other support strategies and disciplinary measures.
Permanent exclusion should only happen:
Permanent exclusion may, however, occasionally be in response to a single, serious, one-off incident. Some examples could be a child who:
Pupils can be permanently excluded for behaviour outside school, but this should be in line with the school’s behaviour policy.
Head teachers must inform parents without delay of the decision to permanently exclude their child from school and the reasons why this happened.
The following flowchart highlights the procedure for processing a Permanent Exclusion. Please be aware, the process is complex and can be challenged by parents, particularly in cases where correct procedure has not been followed. We could advise in the strongest terms possible to contact the partnership for advice before actioning the exclusion.
Before progressing, please visit GOVERNORHUB / Notts Governor Services / Resources / Exclusion Guidance for copies of all letters and supporting LA documentation.
Before you decide to exclude, please contact a member of the team FIRST.
This step is imperative.
Do not make a decision or communicate ANY decision with the parent until this step is complete.
We will ensure that your decision is lawful, rational, reasonable, fair and proportionate
HT notifies parent/s of exclusion and reason for it immediately. If contact cannot be made, keep trying all alternatives to let them know.
Headteacher to notify Chair of Governors of the exclusion.
Headteacher to notify Local Authority of the permanent exclusion (completing Permanent Exclusion Online Form).
Write the parent letter and send recorded (signed for) delivery
If emailing, send with a delivery / read receipt.
If parent notified by telephone, this must be followed by a letter within one working day.
School provides work for the pupil for the first 5 days. This should be arranged to be marked and returned during these days
Parent signs for work as an acknowledgment
School marks pupil as “E” on register
Convene a Governors’ Discipline Committee/Panel within 15 school days of the exclusion, liaising with:
Any issues, contact BPBP
Paperwork is sent to all parties (recorded delivery / read receipt if being emailed).
This needs to be in advance of the hearing (3 days beforehand).
Meeting takes place.
If parents do not turn up / decide not to attend, undertake the meeting as if they were there. The panel need to consider the case fairly.
If outcome is to UPHOLD the exclusion, the Clerk will write to the parents to inform them of this. An appeal date will need to be agreed. Parent has15 days to appeal. If parent appeals, let us know.
The appeal is a repeat of the initial hearing but the LA will provide a SEND expert to chair.
If the decision is to uphold the exclusion, the child can be removed from the register from the date of the latest hearing. Please then email eps.admin@nottscc.gov.uk informing them of the decision.
A pack containing the following documents prepared and sent to parent/carer and Governors:
Ensure that the pages of the pack are numbered consecutively and the report paginated.
The chair of the committee will read from the agenda (annotated one provided if needed). Part of the hearing is for the HT to ‘make a case’ for the exclusion. It is imperative that this is presented in a manner that ensures that guidance and the law, has been followed. Please click below for an example.
