School Exclusions - Fair Access Team - Education

About

The Fair Access Team based in the Education Department of Rochdale Borough Council provides help and advice to families around school exclusions (suspension from school or expelled).

School exclusions

There are two types of formal exclusions: suspensions (fixed-term exclusions), where a pupil is not allowed in school for a specific period of time, and permanent exclusions (expulsions), where a pupil is removed from the school roll and has to be educated elsewhere, usually in a Pupil Referral Unit. Only the head teacher has the power to exclude a pupil. Any exclusion, even for a short period of time, must be formally recorded and follow the correct procedure.

 “Informal” or “unofficial” exclusions, such as sending pupils home to “cool off” after an incident, are unlawful, regardless of whether they occur with the agreement of parents. If you believe that your child has been unlawfully excluded, you may want to make a complaint to the school’s governing body.

Appeal Process

Parents and carers have a right to appeal any exclusion. To appeal a fixed term exclusion put this in writing to the Chair of Governors at the School address.

Complaints

If you feel you wish to make a complaint against the school please follow the school’s Complaints Policy which will be found on their website. If you do not have access to a computer, you can go into the school office and ask for a copy to be provided to you.

School work during an exclusion (suspended or expelled)

If it’s a suspension, your child’s school remains responsible for educating them. The school should set and mark work for the first five days, to make sure your child doesn’t fall behind. If the exclusion is longer than five school days, the school must arrange suitable full-time education from the sixth day, for example at a pupil referral unit.

You must make sure that your child is not present in a public place during school hours for the first five days of the exclusion, or you could be fined. At the end of the exclusion, the school and family have a reintegration meeting and a plan is discussed to support the pupil in being successfully reintegrated back into school. This could involve many of the options listed below.

If the exclusion is permanent, the school remains responsible for the child’s education for the first five days after they’ve been excluded. On the sixth day, the responsibility passes to the local authority and a place will be offered at Brownhill Learning Community (Pupil Referral Unit).

Is my child allowed out following an exclusion?

Your child must not be seen out in a public space when they have received an exclusion period. For further information please see "School Exclusions - GOV.UK" in related links.

Free impartial advice for parents and carers

The Fair Access Team at Rochdale Borough Council offers free, impartial advice to parents and carers and can be contacted on 01706 925072 or email: exclusions@rochdale.gov.uk.

The Advisory Centre for Education has a free national helpline on exclusions – 0300 011 5142 on Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 1pm during term time.

Booklets and other advice are also available on the ACE website.

You may also find the following sources of free and impartial advice useful:

To access statutory guidance on exclusion see School Exclusion page on GOV.UK website

For guidance on making a claim of discrimination to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) please see the below links.

First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) on GOV.UK website

School and college behaviour and attendance on GOV.UK website

Coram Children's Legal Centre website

National Autistic Society (NAS) website

Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) website

Permanent exclusion if your child has been expelled

A permanent exclusion means your child cannot return to this school. You can attend a meeting with the School Governors who will hear the details from you and the school before a final decision is made.

Where will my child receive education following a permanent exclusion?

Your child will be provided with a school place at Brownhill Learning Community School where they will offer a full and wide curriculum. 

Mental health support

Useful information and practical support to help you or someone in your life cope:

  • #Thrive, is for children and young people aged up to 19 years and is run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Youth in Mind and Link 4 Life.
  • Kooth is for children and teenagers aged 11 to 18 can use this confidential and anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing service.
  • Anna Freud website is for young people who need help dealing with worries about how coronavirus will affect loved ones.  
  • Young Minds website is help for teenagers who are anxious or scared about coronavirus. 
  • Covibook website is for children under 7 years old who can use this interactive resource to help them explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic.
  • The National Autistic Society is for children on the Autism Spectrum, including those with Asperger Syndrome can access advice, tips and links to further resources on dealing with anxiety.
Preventing exclusions

Government guidance states that, if a school has concerns about the behaviour, or risk of exclusion, of a child with additional needs, then it should consider what additional support or alternative placement may be required. This could mean:

  • Involving a specialist, for example requesting help from the Autism Team Email: RANS/EPSAdmin@rochdale.gov.uk, from the Local Authority or from an Educational Psychologist. 
  • Completing a My Plan, or requesting a statutory assessment for an EHC Plan see information on the Local Offer
  • Involving the Rochdale Youth Service Email: service@rochdale.gov.uk
  • Involving the Complex Early Help & Safeguarding Hub: Email: ehash@rochdale.gov.uk;
  • A “managed move”, where the pupil makes a fresh start at another school with the agreement of all parties.

In all of this, good home-school communication is essential. Parents have a key role to play in helping school staff understand why a particular behaviour occurs. When it comes to managing behaviour, consistency is key; everyone needs to apply the same strategies.

Who to contact

Contact Position
Fair Access Team
Telephone
01706 925072 01706 925072
E-mail
exclusions@rochdale.gov.uk
Website(s)

Where to go

Name
Number One Riverside
Address
Smith Street
Rochdale
Postcode

OL16 1XU

View OL16 1XU on a map

Related Links

Local Offer

Local Offer Age Bands
4-10 (Primary School)
11-16 (Secondary School)

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