School exclusions

There are statutory requirements and procedures that must be followed when excluding a child from school. The following documents and links will take you to relevant national guidance and local procedures, as well as tools to support you to fulfil statutory responsibilities.

If you cannot find what you are looking for or require any further advice about the exclusions process, call the Exclusions Team on 01603 307727 or email csexclusions@norfolk.gov.uk

General guidance

• Flow chart for quick guidance on the procedure for permanent exclusions (Word doc, 18 KB)
• DfE Statutory guidance on school exclusion (opens new window) : Please note that the DfE guidance has been updated from 1 September 2022; this guidance has been updated to be a companion piece to the updated Behaviour in Schools guidance (opens new window), which provides advice to headteachers, trust leaders and school staff on implementing a behaviour policy which creates a school culture with high expectations of behaviour
• National standard list of reasons for exclusions (Word doc, 17 KB): Please note there are some changes to the categories of reasons for exclusions. From September 2020 there will be five new categories and 'other' should no longer be used. All exclusions should be attributed to one or more of these categories on the notification form below

Forms and templates

• Exclusion Notification Form (Excel doc, 56 KB): This form is for use by all establishments to inform the LA Exclusions Team of all fixed term, lunchtime and permanent exclusions and should be sent to csexclusions@norfolk.gov.uk once completed. Permanent exclusion notifications must be sent without delay.
• Model letters (Word doc, 152 KB): we recommend their use as templates for letters as they have been drawn up by Children's Services to meet statutory requirements on notifications.

Guidance for governors and hearings

• Procedure for governors to consider exclusions (Word doc, 24 KB): this document is intended to provide the chair, governors and clerk with guidance on how to run a meeting of the governing body to consider an exclusion. It includes a sample agenda.
• Checklist of evidence required for a permanent exclusion hearing (Word doc, 18 KB)
• Notes that could be useful on holding a meeting to review permanent exclusion by governors (Word doc, 14 KB)
• Timescales for governors' meetings (Word doc, 15 KB)

Advice and support from the Inclusion Helpline

If you require support or advice around the inclusion of children and young people at risk of exclusion, call the Inclusion Helpline on 01603 307736.

Advisers will ask questions to gain a clear understanding of the issues and context. They'll then make some suggestions regarding possible solutions and ways to support the child or young person and, if appropriate, signpost you to some external providers.

The helpline is open to any school or academy.