Suspensions and exclusions

Schools in the borough work together with the council to improve standards and handle behaviour issues.

Suspension and exclusion explained

A child is suspended or excluded from school for unacceptable bad behaviour.

Who can suspend or exclude a student

Only the headteacher can suspend or exclude a student. If the headteacher is not available, a deputy head can do it but must say they are acting in the headteachers absence.

There are three types of suspension or exclusion:

  • permanent exclusion, is when the headteacher has decided that your child cannot return to school
  • suspension (formerly known as fixed term exclusion), this can last between 1 to 45 school days and is set by the headteacher. Your child will return to school after the suspension ends
  • lunchtime suspension, this excludes a student only during lunchtime as and counts as half a school day.

Your responsibilities

For the first 1 to 5 days of a suspension (except lunchtime suspensions), keep your child out of public places during school hours. If you do not, you could face a penalty. You can defend yourself if you can give good reasons for not following the rules.

Your child must attend alternative full-time education from the sixth day if they are suspended for 6 days or more, or permanently. This does not apply to lunchtime suspensions. You could face penalties if your child does not attend.

During a suspension or exclusion

Keep in touch with the school, the school will give your child work for the first 5 days. You can ask in writing to see your child's school records.

If you disagree with the decision

You can write to the school governors to share your concerns.

For 1 to 5 day suspensions

You can tell governors what you think, and they must respond. You can ask for a meeting, but it is not required.

For 6 to 15 day suspensions

You can share your views and ask for a meeting. Governors must meet within 50 school days. Though the meeting usually happens after the suspension, everyone can share their thoughts. You can write your views or speak at the meeting.

For suspensions over 15 days or permanent exclusions

Governors must meet within 6-15 days. They will arrange a time that works for you, school staff, and the local authority. If your child might miss an exam, they will try to meet sooner.

You can bring someone to support you. It's good for your child to attend if they feel able to.

What governors can decide

They can let your child return to school early. For short suspensions, the meeting might be after your child is back.

If governors do not let your child return early, they will go back once the suspension ends.

For permanent exclusions, if governors agree with the head teacher, you can ask for an Independent Review Panel to look at the decision. Their decision is final.

If your child stays excluded, the council will help arrange their next steps.

Need help

Contact the council for advice.

They will try to attend meetings about permanent exclusions and longer suspensions, making sure the school follows rules and advising governors.

Contact

You can contact the principal officer or support officer for behaviour service and exclusions by:

More information

Exclusions team

Ealing Council
Perceval House
14-16 Uxbridge Road
Ealing W5 2HL

Tel:
020 8825 5070