Your child's permanent exclusion

Summary: This page explains what a permanent exclusion means and what you can do next.

What happens first

The headteacher made the decision to permanently exclude your child.

The governing board must review the headteacher’s decision.

You can tell the governing board why you disagree.

If the governing board does not reinstate your child

If the governing board decides not to reinstate your child, you can ask for an independent review panel (IRP) to look at the decision.

Apply within 15 school days

You must apply for an independent review within 15 school days from the date the governing board sends its decision letter. After you apply, we will give you the date of your review hearing.

If the Surrey Schools Appeal Service does not receive your form within 15 school days, we cannot arrange a review.

What the school must send you

The school must write to you and explain:

• the governing board’s decision
• your right to ask for an independent review
• how to get the review form and what to do next
• the 15 school day deadline

The governing board’s letter will tell you exactly how to ask for a review.

If Surrey School Appeals Service is managing the review for your child’s school, the letter will include the review form. If we are not managing the review, the letter will tell you to contact the school.

What to do now

Read the decision letter carefully.

Decide whether you want an independent review.

Make a note of the 15 school day deadline.

What an independent review is

An independent review checks whether the school made the right decision.
It does not decide if your child should return to the school.

The panel cannot reinstate your child.

The panel can only:

• uphold the exclusion
• recommend the governing board reconsider
• quash (cancel) the decision and direct the governing board to reconsider if your child should return to the school

The governing board does not have to reinstate your child.

Your child’s school record

The permanent exclusion and panel decision stays on your child’s school record whatever the panel decides.