Suspension and permanent exclusion policy: model and examples
Adapt our model suspension and permanent exclusion policy to fit your school's context so you can be sure you're compliant. Also see examples from other schools.
- Download our model policy
- Examples from schools
- Use the previous guidance for pupils suspended or excluded before 1 September 2023
We've updated our model policy to reflect the new guidance from the DfE on suspensions and permanent exclusions, which came into force on 1 September 2023.
14 February 2024: After receiving feedback and clarification from our legal partners, we've updated this policy so it more accurately reflects the guidance around the reasons to suspend a pupil.
If you were using the old version of our policy, we recommend you update it in line with our updated advice on page 5 of the policy, under 'Deciding whether to suspend or exclude', in order to best meet your statutory requirements.
Download our model policy
Adapt our model policy to suit your school's context.
It's been approved by Forbes Solicitors and is based on the DfE's statutory guidance.
Model policy: suspension and permanent exclusion
For more model policies and complete policy support from The Key, go to our Policy Expert.
Examples from schools
Primary schools
Benjamin Adlard Primary School, an academy in Lincolnshire, follows the exclusions policy set by Anthem Schools Trust. The policy includes:
- Factors the headteacher will take into account when considering an exclusion or suspension
- The approach the school takes when dealing with behaviour linked to a protected characteristic
- A flowchart explaining the governing board's duties to review a decision to permanently exclude a pupil
Charles Dickens Primary School, an academy in Southwark, uses a suspensions and exclusion policy set by The Charter Schools Educational Trust. The policy includes sections on:
- The use of CCTV, witness evidence and pupil views
- Off-site and managed moves
- Complaints
Secondary school
Salford City Academy in Salford publishes its exclusions policy, which explains:
- The school's principles
- Situations where a pupil may leave the school site that do not count as 'suspension'
- Types of behaviour that might lead to a permanent exclusion
Special school
Hexham Priory School, a special academy in Northumberland, publishes its trust’s exclusion policy on its website. It sets out:
- The pre-conditions required for excluding a pupil
- Circumstances where pre-conditions would not be met
- Categories of need for pupils at risk of exclusion
Pupil referral unit
Shaftesbury High School in Lancashire has an exclusions and suspensions policy that sets out:
- How reintegration meetings will be used to support pupils returning from suspensions
- That permanent exclusion is used as a last resort
- Details on appeal procedures
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, you should inform parents and 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).
You can find the 2022 guidance here.
