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Our behaviour policy sets out our expectations of behaviour in our school (see policies section). We always guide and support our children in learning how to follow rules in a way that takes into consideration our growth mindset ethos. We treat children individually and with respect no matter their background, needs or differences. All children are very much individuals with individual needs. At Buxton, we are an inclusive school and therefore, always support children in a way that ensures they have the best opportunities to learn how to be a good citizen.

Sometimes, despite a high level of support provided, children make mistakes. As we all do. On occasion, a child’s behaviour can lead to an exclusion.

Exclusion Arrangements

The headteacher can exclude your child if they misbehave in or outside school.

What happens if/when your child is excluded?

We will let you know about an exclusion as soon as possible. We will follow up with a letter telling you how long your child is excluded for and why.

You will also be told how to challenge the exclusion, if you want to.

Exclusions can start on the same day, if you are unable to collect your child straight away, you can speak to the school about arrangements.

Risk of prosecution if child is found in public place

For the first 5 school days of an exclusion, it is your responsibility to make sure your child is not in a public place during normal school hours unless there is a good reason.

You might be prosecuted if your child is found in a public place when they’re not supposed to be.

Child Law Advice has more information on what happens when a child is excluded.

Types of exclusion

There are two kinds of exclusion – fixed period (suspended) and permanent (expelled).

Fixed period exclusion

A fixed period exclusion is where your child is temporarily removed from school. They can only be removed for up to 45 school days in one school year, even if they have changed school.

If a child has been excluded for a fixed period, schools should set and mark work for the first 5 school days.

If the exclusion is longer than 5 school days, the school must arrange suitable full-time education from the sixth school day, e.g. at a pupil referral unit.

Permanent exclusion

Permanent exclusion means your child is expelled. Your local council must arrange full-time education from the sixth school day.

Alternative education and exclusion

The school or local council must tell you about any alternative education they arrange. It is your responsibility to make sure your child attends.

Making a complaint

If alternative education is not arranged within 5 days, or you are not happy with the education, you can complain to:

• the school, for fixed period exclusions
• the local council, for permanent exclusions

If you are not happy with the response, you can complain to the Department for Education (DfE).

You will need to show that you followed the school or council’s complaints procedure.

Challenging exclusion

You will get a letter from the school telling you what to do if you disagree with the exclusion.

You can ask the school’s governing body to overturn the exclusion if either:

• your child has been excluded for more than 5 days
• the exclusion means they’ll miss a public exam or national curriculum test
• If the exclusion is for 5 days or fewer, you can still ask the governors to hear your views but they cannot overturn the head teacher’s decision.

Challenging permanent exclusion

You will be invited to a review meeting with the school’s governors if your child has been permanently excluded.

This will happen within 15 school days.

If the governors do not overturn the exclusion, you can ask for an independent review by your local council (or academy trust if the school’s an academy). The governors must tell you how to do this.

If your child is still excluded you can ask the Local Government Ombudsman to look at whether your case was handled properly. They cannot overturn the exclusion.

Discrimination and other complaints

You can make a claim to a court or a tribunal if you think your child has been discriminated against. You need to do this within 6 months of the exclusion.

Contact the Equality Advisory Support Service for help and advice. For more general complaints (e.g. if you do not want to challenge the exclusion but you are not happy with the way the school handled it), follow the normal school complaints process.

Access to School Premises

Schools are private property. People do not have an automatic right to enter. Parents have an ‘implied licence’ to come on to our school premises at certain times, these are:

• for pre-arranged appointments
• to attend a school event where the parent has been invited
• to drop off or pick up children

Anyone who breaks these rules would be trespassing and could be barred from school site.

Trespassing is a civil offence. This means the school can ask someone to leave and take civil action in the courts if someone trespasses regularly.

Schools can bar someone from the premises if they feel that their aggressive, abusive or insulting behaviour or language is a risk to staff or pupils. It’s enough for a member of staff or a pupil to feel threatened.

Section 547 of the Education Act 1996 makes it a criminal offence for a person who is on school premises without legal permission to cause or permit a nuisance or disturbance.

Further information can be found here: Controlling access to school premises – GOV.UK

Zero Tolerance Zone

Inappropriate language, threats or acts of aggression towards staff will not be tolerated at any time. Anyone behaving in such a way will be asked to leave and their behaviour may be reported to the police.