Rationale

Exclusion is one of the severest sanctions the school can impose and is used when a pupil’s behaviour does not warrant their inclusion, either temporarily or permanently in the normal operation of the school.

Purpose

• To ensure that pupils who do not comply with the clear guidelines on behaviour are removed from the school premises and made aware of the severity of their actions. To ensure that other pupils’ welfare and learning can take place in a safe and undisturbed manner.

Guidelines

• Exclusion will not be used for isolated minor offences.
• The Heads of Primary and Secondary should ensure they investigate and recommend a course of action to the Head Teacher. The decision to exclude temporarily can only be made by the Head Teacher (or Head of P/S in their absence). Permanent exclusion requires the approval of the Chairman of the Board.
• When an incident has occurred which merits exclusion, the pupil and his/her parents are notified with minimal delay. This is usually by telephone.
• If attitude/ behaviour meriting exclusion occurs early in the day, the pupil is usually isolated for the rest of the day (or at least until their parents can collect them).
• There is no “tariff” of offences for which an exclusion will be used. Each situation and students will be treated individually.
• Most exclusions are for one or two days and are designed as a “shot across the bows”. Longer exclusions are the exception.

Internal exclusion

This should be authorised by the Head of Primary or Secondary after consultation with the Head Teacher. Work should be collected from subject teachers with communications to all subject staff when a pupil is to be re-admitted to mainstream lessons. A pupil internally excluded should be supervised by the Head of School or Key Stage Coordinator as appropriate.

Fixed period exclusion

Once authorised by the Head Teacher, the Head of Primary or Secondary should inform the parent by phone supported by letter, signed by the Head Teacher and including details of the reason for suspension the length of suspension, and the means by which a student will be readmitted to school.

Arrangements should be made for a re-admission interview conducted by the Head Teacher or the Head of School or Key Stage Coordinator as appropriate.

Permanent Exclusion

In extreme cases, usually as a final resort, it will be necessary to permanently exclude a student. This will be the result of extensive discussions with the Head Teacher. When notifying parents of a permanent exclusion from school, reference will be made to previous relevant warnings, fixed terms suspensions or other disciplinary measures which preceded the exclusion. The Head Teacher will only permanently exclude a pupil after reference to the Chairman of the Board.

Appeal against Temporary Exclusion

Parents wishing to appeal against the temporary exclusion of their son/daughter should arrange to meet with the Headteacher upon notification of the exclusion order. In extreme circumstances the right to appeal may be carried out retrospectively in cases where the temporary exclusion is with immediate effect. A successful appeal would result in the matter being expunged from the pupil´s school record. Temporary exclusions are not carried out lightly and in all cases, parents will receive advanced written and telephone communication of the decision. Temporary exclusions can range from part of a day up to and including 5 school days.  Generally, these are incremental starting with one day exclusion. Having served a temporary exclusion, pupils are re-admitted to the school only after being interviewed by the Head of School and/or the Headteacher; parents may be required to be present at this interview. The Headteacher´s decision regarding all temporary exclusions is final.

Appeal against Permanent Exclusion

Parents wishing to appeal against the permanent exclusion of their son/daughter should write to the Chief Executive Officer within 48 hours of the exclusion setting out the reasons for the appeal.  This should be sent to the school, where it will be forwarded by the Headteacher.

The Chief Executive Officer will acknowledge receipt of the appeal normally within 5 working days of the receipt of the request. 

The Chief Executive Officer´s decision regarding the appeal will be final. This may be made immediately, but if the Chief Executive Officer needs to gather further evidence or requires more time for deliberation, the outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the parents, Headmaster and Chair of governors within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal.