Suspension and exclusion

As a governor, you'll most likely be asked to consider a suspension or exclusion at some point. Read about the procedures to follow when sitting on the governors' panel.

Learn when a suspensions or exclusions panel is required, the timelines for considering different types of suspension or exclusion, and who can make up the membership.

Find out about the types of evidence you can expect to see as a a member of a suspensions or exclusions panel. Learn how to use them to establish the facts and reach a decision.

Your board is required to consider suspensions of 5 days or under in a term, if the pupil's parents or carers make representations. Find an example process for doing this, as there are no set requirements in the guidance.

Parents and carers have the right to request a review of the governing board's decision not to reinstate a pupil after exclusion. The review is done by an independent review panel (IRP). Find out what to expect from the IRP and what the outcomes might be.

If you've been asked to appear at an independent review panel (IRP), find out what to expect and use our resources and advice to help you prepare for the meeting.

Ofsted looks for evidence of off-rolling in schools. Find out what counts as off-rolling, and the measures your board can put in place to hold your leaders to account and prevent off-rolling in your school.

Following a decision from an IRP, your governing board might need to reconsider reinstating an excluded pupil. Understand the steps that you need to take next.

Get up to speed with key changes to the statutory suspension and permanent exclusion guidance, in effect from 26 July 2026, including a new safeguarding protocol and updated expectations for managed moves and governing board monitoring.

Get advice on what to do if parents or carers behave in an unacceptable way during the suspension or exclusion process. Plus, find out what your school can do if parents/carers can't be reached when a pupil is suspended.

Understand the statutory framework surrounding suspensions and exclusions and what you might be asked to do as part of the process. Download our suspensions and exclusions process flowchart to get up to speed quickly.