QuickRead: Suspensions and exclusions

Read a short summary of the rules around suspension and exclusion, including the governing board's responsibilities.

Last reviewed on 3 August 2023
See updates
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 5929
Contents
  1. Statutory guidance on suspensions and exclusions
  2. Authorising and recording suspensions and exclusions
  3. Deciding whether to exclude a pupil
  4. Notifying relevant parties of a suspension or exclusion
  5. The governing board’s responsibilities in relation to suspension and exclusion

Use the previous guidance for pupils suspended or excluded before 1 September 2023

The new guidance only applies to suspensions and exclusions which take place on or after 1 September 2023. If you have ongoing cases, make sure you follow the guidance that was in place when the suspension or exclusion process started.

However, your headteacher should inform parents/carers of their new right to request a remote panel hearing on 1 September, or as soon as possible afterwards (see paragraph 254 of the September 2023 guidance, which makes provision for ongoing cases to use remote panels).

Download the 2022 guidance here:

Suspensions and exclusions guidance 2022

Statutory guidance on suspensions and exclusions

All maintained schools, academies, alternative provision academies, and pupil referral units (PRUs) must have regard to statutory guidance on suspension and exclusion from the Department for Education (DfE).

The requirements apply to all pupils, including those above and below compulsory school age.

Authorising and recording suspensions and exclusions