School Exclusions Explained: Fixed-Term, Permanent, and Your Rights
My School Agent | 8 July 2026
The phone call came at 11am. "We need you to collect your son. He's been excluded for the rest of the day."
The word "excluded" landed like a punch. What had he done? How serious was it? And what happened now?
School exclusions are more common than you'd think. Here's how they work, what your rights are, and what schools are required to do.
Suspension vs Permanent Exclusion
There are two types of exclusion:
Suspension (fixed-term exclusion): Your child is sent home for a set number of days. It can be a single day or up to 45 school days in one academic year. Most suspensions are short: one to three days.
Permanent exclusion: Your child is removed from the school permanently. This is the nuclear option. It's rare, but it happens.
Only the headteacher can exclude. Not a deputy, not a teacher. The head.
When Can a School Exclude?
A school can exclude for serious breaches of behaviour policy or if keeping the child in school would harm the education or welfare of others.
Common reasons: violence, threats, persistent disruption, bringing a weapon or drugs onto site, serious bullying.
Schools should consider whether there are underlying factors: special educational needs, mental health issues, trauma. Exclusion should be a last resort.
But schools also have to protect other children and staff. It's a hard balance.
What the School Must Do
The head must tell you immediately, usually by phone. A letter must follow within one school day, setting out:
- The reason for the exclusion
- How long it will last (for a suspension)
- Your right to make representations to the governing board
- How your child will continue their education
For the first five days of any exclusion, the school must set work. Your child should be able to access it at home (or wherever they are).
From the sixth day, the school (or local authority for maintained schools) must provide full-time alternative education. This might be at a pupil referral unit (PRU), online, or via another provider.
You're responsible for your child during an exclusion. They shouldn't be out in public during school hours without supervision.
Governors' Review
If your child is excluded for more than five days in a term, or if a permanent exclusion is imposed, the governing board must meet to review the decision.
You can make representations. Bring evidence. Bring a friend or advocate. Explain the context. Ask questions.
The governors will decide whether to uphold, overturn, or (in limited cases) adjust the exclusion. They'll consider:
- Whether the head followed the law and the school's own behaviour policy
- Whether the decision was reasonable in the circumstances
- Whether alternative approaches were considered
If they uphold a permanent exclusion, you have the right to appeal to an independent review panel.
Independent Review Panel
The panel is independent of the school. It includes a lay member, a school governor from another school, and a headteacher from another school.
You can bring a representative (a friend, a solicitor, an advocate). You can present your case. The school presents theirs.
The panel can:
- Uphold the exclusion
- Recommend the governors reconsider
- Overturn the exclusion and direct reinstatement
Reinstatement is rare. Even if the panel finds flaws in the process, they might uphold the exclusion if they believe it was substantively the right decision.
What About SEN?
If your child has special educational needs or a disability, the school must consider whether the behaviour was a result of unmet needs.
Excluding a child for behaviour linked to their disability can be disability discrimination. Schools should make reasonable adjustments first.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the local authority must arrange alternative provision and review the plan if needed.
The Emotional Reality
Exclusion is isolating. For your child, and for you.
Your child might feel ashamed, angry, or confused. They might fall behind academically. They might lose touch with friends.
You might feel judged. Other parents will talk. The school might treat you differently. It's hard.
But you still have rights. Use them. Ask questions. Challenge the decision if you think it's unfair. Get support from SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service) or IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) if your child has SEN.
And keep talking to your child. They need to know this doesn't define them.
My School Agent tracks every school communication, so if you ever need to recall what was said about behaviour concerns or support meetings, it's all in one place. Because when emotions run high, having the facts to hand helps.