Suspensions

Please note that the term used for fixed term exclusions has been changed to ' Suspensions'. 

The Department for Education has updated the below guidance:  Department for Education Suspensions and Permanent Exclusion Guidance

7. Where suspensions are becoming a regular occurrence for a pupil, headteachers and schools should consider whether
suspension alone is an effective sanction for the pupil and whether additional strategies need to be put in place to address behaviour. 

 

19. Any exclusion of a pupil, even for short periods, must be formally recorded. It would also be unlawful to exclude a pupil simply because they have SEN or a disability that the school feels it is unable to meet, or for a reason such as: academic attainment/ ability; or the failure of a pupil to meet specific conditions before they are reinstated, such as to attend a reintegration meeting.

A suspension or fixed term exclusion means that there is an exclusion for a certain number of days. 

• Suspensions may only be given by the head teacher who has a duty to notify parents in writing (can include electronic notification if parental permission given) and include the reason for the exclusion, the period of exclusion, parents rights to make representations to the governing body and how, and should also include links to sources of impartial advice
• For the first 5 days, work should be set and marked by school.
• From day 6 onwards the school has a duty to provide suitable full time education.
• For a child with SEN, it is unlawful to extend the fixed term exclusion because the school are unable to meet his/her needs.  The school must look at putting the required support in place.
• In exceptional cases, where additional evidence has come to light, a suspension/fixed-term exclusion may be extended or converted to a Permanent exclusion.
• The head teacher must notify the Governors any exclusion which result in the pupil being excluded for more than 5 school days (or more than 10 lunchtimes) in a term and if the pupil will miss an exam.
• If a child or young person receives a suspension/fixed term exclusions in one school year exceeding 45 days in total, they may be permanently excluded.
• A suspension can also be for parts of the school day. For example, if a pupil’s behaviour at lunchtime is disruptive, they may be suspended from the school premises for the duration of the lunchtime period.
• Once the suspension has ended, the child must be allowed back (unless further evidence has been found). 

Schools should have a strategy for reintegrating pupils after a suspension/fixed term exclusion. In many cases there will be a reintegration meeting when your child or young person goes back. At this meeting it is important to look at how you, your child and the school can all work together to try to avoid problems in the future.

If you have not been offered a meeting, you can ask for one to help your child to return to school successfully.  You may wish to ask for extra help for your child to address any difficulties in school and consider evaluating and reviewing any SEN support in place. 

The Department for Education has updated the below guidance:  Behaviour in Schools Guidance  

58. Schools should consider whether a pupil’s SEND has contributed to the misbehaviour and if so, whether it is appropriate and lawful to sanction the pupil. In considering this, schools should refer to the Equality Act 2010 and schools guidance.

 

59. The school should also consider whether any reasonable adjustments need to be made to the sanction in response to any disability the pupil may have. It is also important for the schools to seek to try and understand the underlying causes of behaviour and whether additional support is needed.