Suspension

A suspension is where a pupil is temporarily removed from school for a fixed period of time. It is sometimes referred to as a fixed-period exclusion.

A pupil may be suspended for one or more fixed periods in an academic year. If a pupil receives 45 days of suspension in one academic year, this would become a permanent exclusion. 

The law does not allow for extending a suspension, or converting this to a permanent exclusion if the 45 days of suspension have not been met. In exceptional cases, if further evidence comes out after the issue of a suspension, a second suspension or permanent exclusion may be issued. This begins immediately after the first suspension ends.

When a Headteacher or Principal suspends a pupil, they should notify the parents immediately. This will often be by telephone, but will be followed without delay by a letter that explains the following:

• The reason(s) for the suspension
• The length of the suspension
• The requirement for parents to ensure that their child is not present in a public place at any time during school hours without good reason
• How work will be provided and marked during the suspension for the first five days
• The right for parents to make representations about the suspension to the Governing Body, and how these should be made

If the pupil is suspended for more that five days, the school must arrange for alternative provision to be provided from the sixth day of suspension. Where this has been arranged, the letter to parents should include:

• The start date
• The start and finish times of the alternative provision
• The address at which the provision will take place
• Who should be contacted at the alternative provision

If a suspension would bring a pupil to more than 15 days total suspension in a term, the Governing Body must consider reinstatement. They must also consider reinstatement if the suspension would result in a pupil missing a public examination or national curriculum test. If this is the case, the letter to parents should include that the parent, or pupil if they are 18 years old, have the right to:

• Attend a Governors meeting
• Be represented at that meeting (at their own expense) or bring a friend to support

If a suspension would not bring a pupil to more than 15 days total suspension in a term, parents may still request that reinstatement is considered by the Governing Body. This is not automatic. If a parent makes this request, the Governing Body should convene within 50 school days.

When a Governing Body convene to discuss whether or not a pupil should be reinstated, this is called a Governors Disciplinary Committee (GDC). The following parties must be invited to a GDC to make representations:

• Parents (and a representative or friend, if this is requested)
• The Headteacher or Principal
• For maintained schools: a representative of the council
• For academies: parents may ask that a representative of the council attends, but they do not have the automatic right to make representations

A GDC can decide to either uphold the decision to suspend, or direct reinstatement of the pupil. They must notify parents, the Headteacher or Principal, and the Local Authority of its decision in writing, without delay. They should provide details to allow all parties to understand why the decision was made.

If a pupil has a Social Worker and they are at risk of suspension, the Headteacher or Principal should inform their Social Worker, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and the pupil’s parents. 

Consideration needs to be given as to what additional support or alternative placement may be required for a pupil. This should involve assessing the suitability of provision for a pupil’s special educational needs (SEN). Where a pupil has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), schools should consider requesting an early annual review.

Schools have an obligation under the Equality Act to show what reasonable adjustments and what consideration was given to the pupil’s particular needs before making the decision to suspend.

Schools should notify us of any suspensions using our contact form.