If your child is at risk of suspension or exclusion
Students with a history of poor behaviour should receive support from within the school or in partnership with other agencies, to reduce the risk of exclusion.
You should aim to work in partnership with the school. You will want to know how the school will support your child to prevent a suspension or exclusion and improve behaviour. You should also evaluate what else your family is able to do to support your child and the school to achieve better outcomes.
If you would like support you can ask the school for a referral to the Early Help Localities Team or Targeted Response Team - they will be able to discuss options to improve behaviour.
Take a look at our alternatives to suspension or exclusion and alternative provision pages for an idea of what alternatives may be available.
When suspensions are not working
When a student has received a number of suspensions across a term or school year, head teachers should consider whether this approach is working. Alternatives to suspension would need to be considered and support plans implemented/reviewed which include relevant officers from the local authority and any external agencies. Appropriate referrals could be made to the Early Help Team for extra support.
What to consider
If you believe that the school’s response to the child’s behaviour is disproportionate or unreasonable the challenge needs to be thought through, for example
- Has there been a discussion about what might be causing the behaviour?
- Is the behaviour seen elsewhere or only in particular lessons or the playground and what might that mean?
- Does your child have additional needs which have not yet been noticed or assessed?
- Have other disciplinary measures been attempted?
- What works?
- Is good behaviour noticed?
It might help to discuss your concerns with a friend or family member who is able to help you to put your views across to the school.
Meetings
You should attend any meetings arranged to discuss your child’s behaviour and academic progress.
If a meeting has not been arranged you are able to request one. You should ask the school to invite all relevant professionals able to support, help plan, give advice or direct support.
Do students have a say?
Although the decision to suspend or exclude is for a head teacher to take, where possible, students should be given an opportunity to give their version of the facts before the decision to suspend or exclude. The student can attend suspension and exclusion hearings and Independent Review Panels.
Students are central to planning around their behaviour and support. For example, they should be present at Pastoral Support Plan meetings and given full opportunity to discuss their concerns, targets and any interventions which may help. However, depending on the student’s age and understanding adults may agree that it is not appropriate for a child to be present for the entire meeting.
Further Information
Contact
- Tel: 020 8489 3873 or 07790 932 664
- Email: SchoolExclusionEnquiries@haringey.gov.uk