Permanent and Fixed Term Exclusions

• If your child is excluded from school the headteacher will tell you what kind of exclusion it is – either fixed term (the number of days will be specified) or permanent and the reason for the exclusions. You will also be told of your right to appeal against the exclusion.

• You will always be informed in writing although the Headteacher may also have to inform you by phone or in person. You should also receive all the information about the reasons for the exclusion in writing even if this follows some days after the letter telling you that your child has been excluded.

• The information from the Headteacher should explain clearly and in detail why your child has been excluded. If this is not clear you can ask for more information. Remember that whatever information you see will also be seen by the Disciplinary Committee if it meets to consider the exclusion. You can also at any time see your child's educational record.

• You can appeal against either kind of exclusion. You may do so by writing to the Chair of the governors' Disciplinary Committee at the school. Some schools use a form on which you can lodge your appeal. The governors of the school will have set up, a Disciplinary Committee with five members. You can present your appeal in writing and if the exclusion is for more than five days or your child would lose the opportunity to take a public examination, you can appear before the Committee to put your case in person.

• You should appeal as soon as possible for a fixed term exclusion and within seven days for a permanent exclusion.

• If it is a fixed term exclusion of more than five days or your child would lose the opportunity to take a public examination, the committee has the power to reinstate your child before the date specified by the Headteacher. If it is a permanent exclusion, the Committee can decide either that your child should return to school or to uphold the exclusion.

For fixed term exclusions, the Disciplinary Committee will meet as soon as practicably possible, but not before six days and for permanent exclusions within fifteen days. Please note that a “day” is a school working day and not weekends or school holidays. The Disciplinary Committee will usually let you bring a friend or advocate with you but it is at their discretion. You may also bring witnesses if you want. If you wish, your child may also attend but it is not a necessity.

The Committee will always inform you of their decision in writing although they may agree tell you if you wait after the hearing

The headteacher will normally be present at the appeal hearing but if he or she is unable to attend then a Deputy Headteacher will be there. You will be able to ask him or her questions about the exclusion and the reasons for it. The Headteacher will not be present when the Committee considers its decision, he or she will withdraw from the room at the same time as you.

If you disagree with the Disciplinary Committee's decision there is no further appeal against a fixed term exclusion. If the Committee upholds your child's permanent exclusion you can appeal to an independent appeal panel which sits in Wallasey Town Hall .

The clerk to the appeal panel is the Head of Legal and Member Services. You should write to him at Wallasey Town Hall or telephone for an appeal form (0151 691 8488). You have 15 days from receipt of the letter telling you of the decision to lodge your appeal.

The Independent Appeal Panel can not instruct the Director of Children's Services to send your child to another school but it can decide whether or not your child should be reinstated at the school from which he or she has been permanently excluded.

If a permanent exclusion is confirmed your child will usually be referred to a Pupil Referral Unit who will make arrangements for your child to be educated until he or she can go to alternative full time education or training elsewhere.

Exclusion Leaflet 2007