Exclusion from school

A pupil may be excluded for one or more fixed periods (up to a maximum of 45 school days in a single academic year) or permanently. 

There is no list of reasons for why a pupil can and cannot be excluded.

The decision to exclude a pupil is only made by the headteacher.

A headteacher can exclude a pupil for behaviour inside or outside of their school, or for repeatedly disobeying academic instructions.

A pupil cannot be excluded for academic performance or ability.

A headteacher may only decide to permanently exclude a pupil when they are sure that:

• the pupil has seriously breached the school’s behaviour policy
• if the pupil remains in school, it would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school. 

The headteacher will immediately notify parents or carers of the following:

• the reason(s) for the exclusion;
• the period of a fixed-period exclusion or, for a permanent exclusion, the fact that it is permanent
• the legal rights of the pupil and parent or carer

Read the Government guidance on what happens when your child is excluded from school

A pupil cannot be excluded for more than 45 school days in one school year – this applies even when the exclusions have been given in different schools and at different times.

Lunchtime exclusions - where pupils are excluded from school over the lunch period because this is when their behaviour is a problem - are counted as half a day.

The headteacher will immediately notify parents or carers of the following:

• the reason(s) for the exclusion;
• the period of a fixed-period exclusion or, for a permanent exclusion, the fact that it is permanent
• the legal rights of the pupil and parent or carer

Read the Government guidance on what happens when your child is excluded from school

A pupil cannot be excluded for more than 45 school days in one school year – this applies even when the exclusions have been given in different schools and at different times.

Lunchtime exclusions - where pupils are excluded from school over the lunch period because this is when their behaviour is a problem - are counted as half a day.

If your child is excluded, you will get a letter from the school telling you what to do if you disagree with the exclusion. 

If you disagree with your child’s permanent exclusion you can ask for this to be discussed at a school discipline committee. The discipline committee is made up of up to five of the school's governors. They follow guidance from the Government and the Council to decide whether or not the exclusion is being carried out correctly.

Read more about challenging an exclusion

Schools should continue to set work for pupils during the first five days of a fixed-period exclusion.

For exclusions of more than five days, suitable full-time education must be arranged for pupils of primary and secondary school age, except for Year 11 pupils who have finished their final exams.

If a parent is concerned about education arranged during a fixed-period exclusion (and their child is still of compulsory school age), they should contact the school directly.

If the fixed-period exclusion is from a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), the local authority will make arrangements for alternative provision.

If a child is permanently excluded, the local authority of the area where the child lives must arrange suitable full-time education. If a parent wishes to raise a concern about the education following a permanent exclusion, they should complain to the local authority where they live.

There is no legal requirement for an excluded pupil to take an exam that happens during the exclusion. Some schools may choose to arrange for the exam to take place, either on school premises or elsewhere.

If a parent has concerns about their child missing a public examination or national curriculum test, they should raise these with the school.

Here are some organisations that provide free information, support and advice to parents about school exclusions:

Coram's Children's Legal Centre - advice line 0345 345 4345

ACE education  - advice line open Monday to Wednesday 10am-1pm (term time only) 0300 0115 142

The National Autistic Society schools exclusion service helpline 0808 800 4002 or contact the school exclusion service on the website

Independent Parental Special Education Advice

You may also wish to access the following sources of advice from the Department for Education: 

Setting the behaviour policy

Department for Education guidance to schools on exclusion

School discipline and exclusions

Complain about a school or childminder