School exclusions

There are statutory requirements and procedures that must be followed when excluding a child from school. The following documents and links will take you to relevant national guidance and local procedures, as well as tools to support you to fulfil statutory responsibilities.

If you cannot find what you are looking for or require any further advice about the exclusions process, email the Exclusions Team at [email protected].

General guidance

• Flow chart for quick guidance on the procedure for permanent exclusions (Word doc, 18 KB)
• DfE Statutory guidance on school exclusion (opens new window) : Please note that the DfE guidance was updated in August 2024.  This guidance has been updated to be a companion piece to the updated  Behaviour in Schools guidance (opens new window), which provides advice to headteachers, trust leaders and school staff on implementing a behaviour policy which creates a school culture with high expectations of behaviour.
• National standard list of reasons for exclusions (Word doc, 17 KB): Please note there are some changes to the categories of reasons for exclusions. From September 2020 there will be five new categories and 'other' should no longer be used. All exclusions should be attributed to one or more of these categories on the notification form below

Forms and templates

• Exclusion Notification Form (Excel doc, 56 KB): This form is for use by all establishments to inform the LA Exclusions Team of all fixed term, lunchtime and permanent exclusions and should be sent to [email protected] once completed. Permanent exclusion notifications must be sent without delay.
• Model letters (Word doc, 89 KB): we recommend their use as templates for letters as they have been drawn up by Children's Services to meet statutory requirements on notifications.
• Post-Exclusion Pupil Information Form (Word doc, 45 KB): This must be completed within 48 hours for all permanent exclusions and sent to [email protected].

Guidance for governors and hearings

• Procedure for governors to consider exclusions (Word doc, 24 KB): this document is intended to provide the chair, governors and clerk with guidance on how to run a meeting of the governing body to consider an exclusion. It includes a sample agenda.

• Checklist of evidence required for a permanent exclusion hearing (Word doc, 18 KB)

• Notes that could be useful on holding a meeting to review permanent exclusion by governors (Word doc, 14 KB)
• Timescales for governors' meetings (Word doc, 15 KB)

The SEND and Inclusion Support Line

Call 0333 3137165 to get in touch with one of our advisors, where we offer support for families. Our advisors can provide guidance for families, including support for children at risk of imminent permanent exclusion, and guidance and advice for those considering an application for an Education, Health & Care Plan. The phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm. For more information visit the SEND Local Offer.