The Department for Education guidance on suspensions and permanent exclusions has changed as of September 2022.
GOV.UK - School suspensions and permanent exclusions
Please note - all letters and guidance documents have been updated in line with new guidance and can be downloaded below.
Exclusion is a serious matter. Only a school’s headteacher (or a person with the authority to act on behalf of the headteacher) can exclude a pupil.
A headteacher may exclude a pupil only when he/she is sure that:
- the pupil has broken the school’s discipline policy
- If the pupil remaining in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.
To find out more about school exclusion, visit:
Exclusions – model letters
These letters are to be sent to parents when a child has been excluded. You will note that the modified paragraphs are highlighted to reflect current information from the Department for Education.
- Model letter 1 (DOCX, 31 KB) - From head teacher notifying parent of a suspension of 5 school days or fewer in one term, and where a public examination is not missed.
- Model letter 2 (DOCX, 32 KB) - From head teacher notifying parent(s) of a pupil of that pupil's suspension of more than 5 school days (up to and including 15 school days) in a term.
- Model letter 3 (DOCX, 31 KB) - From head teacher notifying parent of a suspension of more than 15 school days in total in one term or taking the total to more than 15 school days in one term.
- Model letter 4 (DOCX, 31 KB) - From the head teacher of a primary, secondary or special school notifying the parent(s) of that pupil’s permanent exclusion.
- Model letter 5 (DOCX, 32 KB) - From the clerk to the governing body to a parent upholding a permanent exclusion.