Suspensions and permanent exclusions

Suspensions and permanent exclusions are behaviour management tools used by schools to address disciplinary issues.

  • Suspension
    • A fixed period during which a child is not allowed to attend school and must remain at home
  • Permanent exclusion (PEX)
    • The permanent removal of a child from a specific school

Only the head teacher has the authority to suspend or permanently exclude a pupil on disciplinary grounds. A pupil’s behaviour outside school may also be considered as grounds for suspension or permanent exclusion.

Suspension

A suspension may last for one or more fixed periods, up to a maximum of 45 school days in a single academic year. Beyond this, a permanent exclusion may occur.

Suspensions can apply to parts of the school day, such as lunchtime suspensions, which count as half a school day.

Legal requirements

The head teacher must notify the parent in writing, stating the reason for the suspension and specifying the return date.

Parents are legally responsible for ensuring their child does not remain in a public place during school hours without valid reason during the suspension. Failure to comply may result in a penalty notice fine or prosecution.

For suspensions longer than five days, the school’s governing body must arrange suitable full-time education.

Reintegration and support

A reintegration meeting may be arranged to support the pupil’s return to school. However, the pupil must return on the specified date regardless of whether the meeting occurs.

Schools should have a reintegration strategy to help pupils start afresh and manage future behaviour. This may include support from other services or agencies.

Further suspensions or permanent exclusion

The law does not permit extending a suspension or converting it into a permanent exclusion.

In exceptional cases, where new evidence comes to light, a further suspension or permanent exclusion may be issued to begin immediately after the first suspension ends.

Permanent exclusion (PEX)

A head teacher may decide to permanently exclude a pupil as a last resort in response to:

  • serious or persistent breaches of the school’s behaviour policy
  • situations where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others, including staff

Process and responsibilities

The school’s governing body must review the head teacher’s decision within 15 school days.

From day six of a permanent exclusion, the local authority becomes responsible for providing the pupil’s education. This is typically organised through a pupil referral unit or alternative learning provision until suitable full-time education is arranged.

Interim measures

During the first five school days of a suspension or permanent exclusion, if alternative provision is not yet arranged, the school must set and mark work for the pupil.

Schools may use online platforms such as Google Classroom or Oak Academy to provide accessible and achievable work for the pupil.

For further details, refer to the DfE statutory suspension and permanent exclusion guidance (PDF).

Further information

If you have any questions or need advice, email the Attendance and Inclusion Service: exclusions@swindon.gov.uk.

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