Excluding a pupil: procedures and guidance

This article is based on the following guidance from the DfE:

• School suspensions and exclusions (read our summary to find out what's changed for 2023). This guidance applies to all pupils, including those above and below compulsory school age
• Behaviour in schools

Both guidance documents apply to maintained schools, academies (including free schools), alternative provision (AP) academies (including AP free schools), and pupil referral units.

When can we exclude a pupil? 

You can only exclude a pupil on serious disciplinary grounds 

You should only decide to do this:

You can also exclude pupils for behaviour outside school, if it’s in line with your school's behaviour policy. This might be if the behaviour may bring your school into disrepute or if the