Exclusions

We believe that we promote good behaviour by creating a happy and caring school environment where everyone in the federated community feels valued and respected, and that each person is treated fairly and well. We are a caring community, whose values are built on mutual trust and respect for all. The behaviour policy is therefore designed to promote an environment where everyone feels happy, safe and secure.

1.2 The primary aim of the behaviour policy is to promote good relationships, so that people can work together with the common purpose of helping everyone to learn. This policy supports the school community in aiming to allow everyone to work together in an effective and considerate way.

1.3 The school expects every member of the school community to behave in a considerate way towards others. We treat all children fairly and apply this behaviour policy in a consistent way.

1.4 The school rewards good behaviour, as it believes that this will develop an ethos of kindness and co-operation. This policy is designed to promote good behaviour, rather than merely deter anti-social behaviour.

Fixed-term and permanent exclusions

7.1 Only the Head teacher has the power to exclude a pupil from school. The Executive Principal Head teacher may exclude a pupil for one or more fixed periods, for up to 45 days in any one school year. The Head teacher may also exclude a pupil permanently. It is also possible for Executive Principal to convert a fixed-term exclusion into a permanent exclusion, if the circumstances warrant this.

7.2 If the Head teacher excludes a pupil, s/he informs the parents immediately, giving reasons for the exclusion. At the same time, the Head teacher makes it clear to the parents that they can, if they wish, appeal against the decision to the governing body. The school informs the parents how to make any such appeal.

7.3 The Headteacher informs the LEA and the governing body about any permanent exclusion, and about any fixed-term exclusions beyond five days in any one term.

7.4 The governing body itself cannot either exclude a pupil or extend the exclusion period made by the Headteacher. The governing body has a discipline committee which is made up of between three and five local governing body members. This committee considers any exclusion appeals on behalf of the governors.

7.5 When an appeals panel meets to consider an exclusion, they consider the circumstances in which the pupil was excluded, consider any representation by parents and the LEA, and consider whether the pupil should be reinstated. If the governors’ appeals panel decides that a pupil should be reinstated, the Headteacher must comply with this ruling.