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.
The DfE has published updated guidance which comes into effect on 26 July 2026. It replaces the existing guidance on suspensions and exclusions. See our summary of the changes.
Only headteachers or acting headteachers can decide to suspend or exclude a pupil
In all cases, the decision must be lawful, rational, reasonable, fair and proportionate.
Suspensions
Suspensions are temporary. A pupil can be suspended for 1 or more fixed periods, up to a maximum of 45 days in total per school year.
Suspensions can also just be for a part of the school day, such as a lunchtime suspension. Each lunchtime suspension counts as half