Can a school exclude my child for a one-off incident?

Yes, for serious incidents. A permanent exclusion can follow a single event if it is serious enough: violence, sexual misconduct, drug supply, or carrying a weapon. For less serious single incidents, a fixed-term suspension is more proportionate. The decision must be lawful, reasonable, and proportionate.

My child has an EHCP. Can they still be excluded?

Yes, but the school must consider whether the behaviour is related to the child’s SEND. Ofsted guidance says schools should make "reasonable adjustments" before excluding. If a child with an EHCP is permanently excluded, the LA must find an alternative placement that meets the plan. Tribunal can challenge if the exclusion was disability-related.

The school asked me to collect my child early. Is that an exclusion?

If you did not agree to it voluntarily, yes — it is an unofficial exclusion and it is illegal. The school must formally record any period where a child is required to leave the premises. If this is happening, put your concern in writing to the headteacher and governing board.

I think my child is being off-rolled. What should I do?

Document everything: emails, conversations, meetings. If the school is pressuring you to withdraw your child, refuse in writing. Contact the LA admissions team. Report to Ofsted (in England) or the relevant inspectorate. Seek advice from IPSEA or your local SENDIASS if your child has SEND.

How long does a permanent exclusion stay on my child’s record?

A permanent exclusion is recorded on the school’s census data. It does not appear on your child’s academic record or exam certificates. Future schools can see it if they request the previous school’s records, but it should not be used to refuse admission elsewhere. After the appeal period, it is a matter of school records, not public record.

What education will my child receive if excluded?

The LA must arrange suitable full-time education from the 6th school day of a permanent exclusion (or a fixed-term exclusion of 6+ days). This is typically at a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), alternative provision academy, or through a managed programme. The education should be full-time and appropriate to the child’s needs.

Can I choose which school my child goes to after a permanent exclusion?

You can apply to any school through the normal in-year admissions process. Schools can only refuse if they are full. A new school cannot refuse admission solely because your child was permanently excluded elsewhere. However, some schools are reluctant — if refused, appeal.

Are exclusion rates different for certain groups?

Yes, significantly. DfE data consistently shows that exclusion rates are higher for: boys (3x more than girls), pupils with SEND (6x), pupils eligible for FSM (4x), Black Caribbean pupils (3x), Gypsy/Roma/Traveller pupils (4–5x), and children in care. These disparities are well-documented and are a focus of Ofsted inspection.

My child was excluded during GCSE exam season. Can they still sit exams?

Yes. The school is responsible for making arrangements for the child to sit any public exams during the exclusion period. This may mean sitting exams at the PRU, at the original school, or at another venue. The school cannot prevent a pupil from taking exams they were entered for.

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Parent Guide

School Exclusions & Off-Rolling

Q: What is an independent review panel (IRP)?

The IRP hears appeals against permanent exclusion in England. It consists of 3 or 5 members (a chair, a governor, and a headteacher). The IRP can: uphold the exclusion, recommend reconsideration, or direct reconsideration. It cannot reinstate the child directly (unlike panels in Wales, Scotland, and NI). If the school refuses to reconsider, it must pay a £4,000 adjustment to the LA.

Suspensions, permanent exclusions, illegal exclusions, and the practice of off-rolling children from school registers. Your rights, the rules schools must follow, and what to do if things go wrong.

20–25 min readAll 4 UK nationsUpdated April 2026

Key facts

Only the headteacher can formally exclude a pupil — there are four types: fixed-term suspension, permanent exclusion, lunchtime exclusion, and managed move.
Unofficial exclusions (asking you to collect your child without recording it) are illegal but widespread.
The LA must provide full-time alternative education from the 6th school day of any exclusion.
Pupils with SEND are excluded at 6x the rate of their peers — schools must consider whether behaviour relates to the child’s needs.
In England, the appeal panel cannot reinstate your child directly — Wales, Scotland, and NI panels can.

~8,000

Permanent exclusions per year (England)

Higher exclusion rate for SEND pupils

Illegal

Unofficial exclusion (but it still happens)

Day 6

When alternative education must begin

Types of Exclusion

There are four types of school exclusion. Only the headteacher can formally exclude.

Fixed-term suspension

Your child is sent home for a set number of days (was called "fixed-term exclusion" until 2023). Maximum 45 school days per academic year.

Your rights: The school must notify you immediately and in writing. From day 6 onward, the school must provide full-time education. You can make representations to the governing board for exclusions of 6+ days.

Permanent exclusion

Your child is removed from the school roll permanently. This is the most serious sanction a school can impose. Used only for persistent or serious breaches of behaviour policy.

Your rights: You have the right to a hearing before an independent review panel (IRP). The LA must provide alternative education from day 6. The IRP can direct the school to reinstate your child.

Lunchtime exclusion

Your child is excluded during the lunch period only. Counts as half a school day. Parents must be notified.

Your rights: Same rights as a fixed-term suspension proportionate to the length. The school should provide food if the child receives free school meals.

Managed move

A voluntary agreement where your child transfers to another school instead of being permanently excluded. Requires parental consent.

Your rights: You must give informed consent. If the move breaks down, your child must be allowed back to the original school. Never agree under pressure.

Illegal Exclusions & Off-Rolling

These practices are unlawful but widespread. Ofsted identified off-rolling as a national concern in 2019.

Unofficial exclusion / "sending home"

Asking you to "collect your child early" or keep them home without formally recording an exclusion.

Why it happens: Avoids the exclusion showing on the school’s record. Parents often don’t realise this is illegal.

Off-rolling

Encouraging or pressuring parents to move their child to another school, to home education, or to a college course to avoid the child’s results counting in the school’s data.

Why it happens: Improves the school’s performance data. Particularly targets children with SEND, EAL, or behavioural difficulties before GCSE years.

Reduced timetable without review

Putting your child on a part-time timetable without a formal plan, regular reviews, or parental agreement.

Why it happens: Used to manage "difficult" pupils. A reduced timetable should be temporary, agreed by parents, regularly reviewed, and aimed at reintegration.

Internal exclusion rooms

Placing your child in an isolation room for extended periods without formal exclusion. Some schools use "reflection rooms" or "inclusion units" as long-term placements.

Why it happens: Avoids recording an exclusion while removing the child from education. Extended use (weeks/months) without a plan is inappropriate.

What to do

If you believe your child is being illegally excluded or off-rolled: (1) put your concerns in writing to the headteacher, (2) contact the LA admissions team, (3) report to Ofsted/Estyn/Education Scotland/ETI, (4) contact IPSEA or your local SENDIASS if your child has SEND. You have the right to refuse a "managed move" or "voluntary" withdrawal.

Four Nations Compared

Exclusion rules vary across the UK. The key difference: in England, the appeal panel cannot reinstate your child.

	England	Wales	Scotland	N. Ireland
Terminology	Suspension / Permanent exclusion	Exclusion (fixed-term / permanent)	Exclusion (temporary / permanent)	Suspension / Expulsion
Appeal body	Independent Review Panel (IRP)	Independent Appeal Panel	Education appeal committee	Expulsion appeal tribunal
Can the panel reinstate?	Can direct reconsideration (not reinstate)	Can reinstate	Can reinstate	Can reinstate
Alternative provision duty	From day 6 (LA duty)	From day 6 (LA duty)	Immediate (council duty)	From day 6 (EA duty)
Off-rolling scrutiny	Ofsted monitors since 2019	Estyn monitors	Monitored by councils	Less formally monitored

Terminology

Eng: Suspension / Permanent exclusion

Wal: Exclusion (fixed-term / permanent)

Sco: Exclusion (temporary / permanent)

NI: Suspension / Expulsion

Appeal body

Eng: Independent Review Panel (IRP)

Wal: Independent Appeal Panel

Sco: Education appeal committee

NI: Expulsion appeal tribunal

Can the panel reinstate?

Eng: Can direct reconsideration (not reinstate)

Wal: Can reinstate

Sco: Can reinstate

NI: Can reinstate

Alternative provision duty

Eng: From day 6 (LA duty)

Wal: From day 6 (LA duty)

Sco: Immediate (council duty)

NI: From day 6 (EA duty)

Off-rolling scrutiny

Eng: Ofsted monitors since 2019

Wal: Estyn monitors

Sco: Monitored by councils

NI: Less formally monitored

Appealing an Exclusion

You have the right to challenge every type of exclusion. Here's how.

Fixed-term: make representations

For suspensions of 6+ days, you can make representations to the governing board. The board can direct reinstatement. For shorter suspensions, you can still make representations but the board is not required to meet.

Permanent: governing board hearing

The governing board must meet within 15 school days to consider the exclusion. You can attend, bring a friend or representative, and present evidence. The board can reinstate the child.

Independent Review Panel (England)

If the governing board upholds the exclusion, you can request an IRP hearing. You have 15 school days from the board’s decision to request this. The IRP can uphold, recommend reconsideration, or direct reconsideration.

SEND expert on the panel

If your child has SEND, you can request that a SEND expert sits on the IRP regardless of whether you think disability discrimination occurred. This is free.

Disability discrimination claim

If you believe the exclusion was related to your child’s disability, you can make a disability discrimination claim to the SEND Tribunal (separately from the IRP). The tribunal CAN order reinstatement.

Free support

Coram Children’s Legal Centre — free legal advice on exclusions. IPSEA — if your child has SEND. Just for Kids Law — free legal representation for exclusion appeals in some cases. Your local SENDIASS — free advice and support at hearings.

Common Questions

Sources

This guide draws on the DfE Suspension and Permanent Exclusion guidance (2023), the Education Act 2002, the Equality Act 2010, Ofsted off-rolling research, Coram Children’s Legal Centre guidance, and equivalent legislation in Wales, Scotland, and NI. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex cases, consider seeking advice from IPSEA, Coram Children’s Legal Centre, your local SENDIASS, or a solicitor. Last reviewed April 2026.

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