Every school in Essex has a behaviour policy which includes a code of conduct for pupils. It is important that you read this code to make sure that you and your child comply with it. The code should be available on the school’s website but if it isn’t, ask the school for a copy.

 

It is important you know about school discipline so you can enjoy school without getting into trouble.

 

If your child does misbehave in, before or after school, the school can use sanctions such as:

 

The code of conduct for your child’s school will stipulate when detentions are held and the school will notify you 24 hours in advance.  If your child cannot attend, you must let the headteacher or form teacher know why. If your reason is a valid one, the school may reconsider.

 

For serious offences, there are two types of exclusion; fixed and permanent.

 

Your child can only be excluded from school by the headteacher or, in the headteacher’s absence, the acting headteacher. The headteacher will decide the length of exclusion. If the exclusion is for more than one day, the school will set work and mark it. You will be informed on the day the exclusion is given and this will be followed by a letter setting out the length of the exclusion and the reasons for it. You have a duty to ensure your child is not present in a public place during school hours for the first five days. If the exclusion is to last more than five days the school will inform you of the arrangements it has made for the sixth day onwards.

 

Your child cannot receive fixed period exclusions totalling more than 45 days in any one school year.

 

More information on School discipline and exclusions

 

This form of discipline is used as a last resort. Reasons for permanent exclusion can vary from school to school, depending on their behaviour policy. The Department for Education (DfE) provides the following list of reasons for permanent exclusion:

 

The headteacher’s decision will be reviewed by the school’s governing body and you and your child will be invited to attend a meeting, at which the governing body will consider whether to uphold or overturn the headteacher’s decision to exclude.

 

If the governing body confirms the exclusion, you can appeal. The school must explain to you in a letter how to appeal.  You might want to refer to the Community Legal Service section for advice.

 

From the sixth day of the exclusion, the local authority will meet the needs of pupils who been permanently excluded from school.

 

If your child is of statutory school age (5-16) and has been permanently excluded from school, Essex County Council will provide tuition from day 6 of the exclusion.

 

Once the school has notified us of the permanent exclusion, our Children’s Support Service (CSS) who teach pupils out of school, will contact you to arrange suitable provision.

 

For further information on the exclusion process contact one of the caseworkers in the Children’s Support Service on the following numbers:

 

Tel: 01245 436268

Tel: 01245 436011

Tel: 01245 436155