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Off-rolling: how to identify and prevent it

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.

Last reviewed on 12 February 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 34789
Contents
  1. What is off-rolling?
  2. Scenarios: what counts as off-rolling and what doesn't?
  3. Ofsted inspectors will look out for off-rolling
  4. Use these tips to prevent off-rolling in your school
  5. What to do if you suspect off-rolling

What is off-rolling?

Off-rolling is when a pupil is unlawfully removed from the school register. 

Ofsted's definition

Ofsted defines off-rolling as:

  • Removing a pupil from the school roll without a formal, permanent exclusion; or 
  • Encouraging:
    • A parent to remove their child from the school roll; or
    • A sixth form pupil not to continue with their course of study; or
  • Keeping a pupil on the school roll but not allowing them to attend school normally, without a formal permanent exclusion or suspension

And:

  • When the decision is made primarily in the interests of the school and not the pupil

See paragraph 428 of the School Inspection Handbook.

The DfE's stance on unlawful exclusions and off-rolling

The exclusion is in response to a serious breach or persistent breaches of the school's behaviour policy; and Allowing the pupil to remain in school