Suspensions previously known as ‘fixed term exclusions’, refers to a pupil who is excluded for a set period of time.

This can involve a part of the school day and it does not have to be for a continuous period.

What do suspensions involve?

When a child gets into serious trouble at school the result of this can be suspension for a fixed period of time. Schools can suspend a child on the grounds of the following:

  • The child has seriously broken the school rules.

  • Allowing them to remain in school would seriously harm their education or welfare, or the education and / or welfare of other pupils.

Bearing in mind the following points:

  • Only the Principal/Headteacher can suspend a pupil

  • An initial suspension must not exceed five days.

  • The Principal/Headteacher cannot extend a period of suspension without the previous approval of the chair of the board of Governors.

  • Your child can only be suspended for a maximum of 45 school days in any one school year.

  • The school is responsible for providing them with suitable work to do and mark it. You may be asked to collect the work from the school and return it when your child has completed.

The school has a responsibility to contact the parent/carer of the child on the day of the suspension.

The Principal or Headteacher must also provide immediate written notification to you, the chair of the Board of Governors and the Education Authority in your region or Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

The letter should set out the period and reason for the suspension (Nidrect.gov,2023).