A school can exclude a pupil either for a fixed-period (also known as a suspension) or permanently. However, there are lots of rules around when and how a pupil can be excluded, and the steps a school has to take depends on the length of the exclusion.

The rules we explain on this page and the links below only relate to pupils at maintained schools, Academy schools (not 16-19 Academies or 16-19 free schools), alternative provision Academies, and pupil referral units. If your child attends a different setting, please see our information on how pupils can be excluded from those different settings.

No child should be excluded or suspended from school:

• for an unlimited period
• for a non-disciplinary reason, or
• without formal notice in writing from the head.

This includes pupils who are below compulsory school age, and above compulsory school age (those in sixth form).

The steps schools, Academies and pupil referral units need to take are found in law and in the Government’s statutory guidance.

This means those settings must consider what the guidance says, unless there is a good reason not to (such as it saying something different to what the law says). They cannot just ignore it.

It is called ‘Suspension and Permanent exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England including pupil movement’ – August 2024. It applies for all exclusions that took place on or after 1 September 2024.

It is always worth remembering that a head teacher can cancel any exclusion or suspension in certain situations and the guidance explains this in more detail (paragraphs 13–14).

What the school must do depends on how long the exclusion is for:

Fixed term/suspension for up to 5 days

Fixed term/suspension for between 5 and 15 days

Fixed term/suspension for over 15 days

Permanent exclusions