Permanent exclusion is the complete removal of a pupil from the school they attend (gov.uk, 2022).
During the first 5 days of exclusion the school is responsible for arranging education for the pupil, after which on the sixth day it then becomes the responsibility of the local council (Source: Enfield.gov.uk, 2022)
What does a permanent exclusion involve?
This type of exclusion involves the removal of a child or young person from the school roll/ register. The Headteacher must follow protocol before removing a pupil’s name from the school’s admissions register, until the final outcome of the independent review panel, provided the parents /carers follow this procedure / route.
This decision to permanently exclude a pupil should only be taken in the following circumstances:
In response to a serious breach or persistent breaches of the school’s behaviour policy,
Where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others such as staff or pupils in the school.
Disciplinary Grounds and the decision must be lawful, rational, reasonable, fair and proportionate. The behaviour of the pupil outside of school can also be considered as grounds for exclusion, in accordance to the school’s behaviour policy (Source: gov.uk, 2022)
What are the effects of permanent exclusion?
School exclusion is the ultimate punishment used in schools. However, the expected effect of this punishment does not always end with changed behaviour on return to school.
The effects on a student’s life can cover a wide range of areas starting from health to career to education. Mental health is hugely damaged by school exclusion, as many students who have been excluded have developed mental health issues, in forms of low self-esteem and social isolation, also in their academics causing a decrease in exam results.
Other mental health issues that have been identified are anxiety, depression, and behaviour difficulties (mind.org.uk, 2022). Their social interaction becomes affected as some of their friendships are damaged and this can damage the development of their key social skills, especially in younger children.
A study has shown that excluding children from school may lead to long term psychiatric problems and psychological distress.
It can lead to isolating young people who can find it difficult to make or keep friends once they have been excluded from school.
Potentially students could struggle to cope with school life and exclusion can be seen as a sigh of relief and an avoidance cycle begins, which in turn is not only a difficulty for the student to break the cycle, however it is an added pressure on the family to get the student to cooperate.
