School exclusions

The head teacher of a school maintained by a local authority can decide to exclude a pupil for a certain number of days or permanently.

The head teacher may take this action when:

• The student is in serious breach of the school's discipline policy. All schools have a written policy that explains how pupils are expected to behave; and/or
• Allowing the child to remain in school would seriously harm the education and welfare of the child or others in school.
  

When a school decides to exclude a child, the head teacher will inform the child's parent/carer and explain the reasons for this.

Leaflets about exclusions are available in schools.