Guidance on excluding and expelling pupils to be consulted on
The government has launched a consultation on revised guidance for excluding and expelling pupils.
The DfE claims the guidance aims to “clarify” areas that were “causing confusion in the system”, rather than change existing policy.
It also includes “corrected descriptions of legal requirements” that it said were not clear enough in the previous guidance, which dates from 2012.
The proposed changes are due to come into effect in September 2017.
They come two years after the government dropped new guidance weeks after it was issued, due to problems with “process”.
The proposed changes to the guidance include certain clarifications, such as that schools cannot extend a fixed-term exclusion. Instead, they must issue a further fixed-period exclusion.
Appeals from parents with SEN pupils will also be consulted on, as will the standard of proof to base a decision on.
The government has also issued new documents for headteachers and parents about the exclusion system.
The consultation runs until 25 April.
Read moreLatest News
07/10/2025 - 09:35
Sixty-five per cent of parents and grandparents have said they felt driving should be on the school curriculum, according to a survey by pre-17 driver training scheme provider Young Driver.
07/10/2025 - 09:20
The government has announced a new package of bursaries and scholarships worth up to £31,000 to train to teach in subjects including chemistry, maths, physics, and computing.
06/10/2025 - 10:20
Schools in England could face an annual shortfall of £310 million in covering the cost of free school meals unless urgent action is taken, according to a new report led by Northumbria University.
03/10/2025 - 10:01
Spending on educational support for children with high needs has risen sharply in recent years, creating unsustainable financial pressure on both local authorities and central government, new analysis warns.
02/10/2025 - 09:31
The Always Active Uniform is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear, designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day.
