Model letter 3 from headteacher (or PRU) notifying parent of a single suspension

period of more than 15 days in a term or would result in the student missing a
public examination or test.

Note: The headteacher must notify the parents without delay of the decision to
suspend, ideally by telephone. The telephone call must be followed without delay by
a letter - or sent electronically if that mode already exists with parent. Statutory
guidance – information concerning off-site provision should be provided as soon as
possible. For a Child Looked After, this must be provided on the first day following
the exclusion.
NB if the pupil concerned is under 18 the letter is sent to the parent. If the pupil is 18
years or over the letter is adapted and sent to them.

Dear (Name of parent),

(Name of pupil)
Suspension from school

I am writing to inform you of my decision to suspend (name of pupil) for a period of

(specify period) days. This means that (name of pupil) will not be allowed in school
for this period. The suspension begins on (date) and will end on (date). Your child
should return to school on (date).

I realise that this suspension may well be upsetting for you and your family, but my
decision to suspend (child’s name) has not been taken lightly. (Name of pupil) has
been suspended for the stated period because (specify reason(s) for the suspension).

You have a duty to ensure that your child is not present in a public place in school
hours during this suspension (again specify dates) unless there is reasonable
justification for this. I must warn you that you may receive a penalty notice from the
local authority if your child is present in a public place in school hours on the
specified dates. If so, it will be for you to show reasonable justification.

We will set work for (name of pupil) during the first five school days (amend if the
off-site provision is to start earlier) of his/her suspension (detail here the
arrangements for this). Please ensure that the work set by the school is completed
and returned to us promptly for marking (detail the arrangement for this).

From the sixth (or earlier if so arranged) school day of the suspension (specify date)
until (end specify date) we will provide suitable full-time education for (name of
pupil). On (date) he/she should attend (give name and address of the alternative
provision if not the home school) at (specify time as start times may vary between
schools) and report to (staff member). (If applicable, say something about transport
arrangements from the home to the alternative provision. If not yet known, say that
the arrangements for suitable full-time education will be notified by a further letter,
no later than 48 hours before the provision is to begin).
As the length of the suspension *brings the total number of days to more than 15 in
one term *or would result in your child missing a public examination or national
curriculum test (*delete as necessary) the Governing Body/Academy Trust/PRU
Management Committee (delete as necessary) must meet within 15 school days to
consider this suspension. At the meeting, you may make representations if you wish.
The latest date on which the committee can meet is (specify the date – which is no
later than 15 school days from the date the committee is notified).

If you do wish to make representations to the Governing Body/Academy Trust/PRU

Management Committee (delete as necessary) and wish also to be accompanied by a
friend or representative (at your own expense), please contact the Clerk to the
Governors (give name of contact) on/at (contact details – address, phone number,
email) as soon as possible. Your child may also be involved in this meeting to make
representations on his/her own behalf if it is appropriate, taking into consideration
his/her age and level of understanding. You will, whether you choose to attend to
make representations or not, be notified by the Clerk to the Governors of the time
and date of the meeting. Please advise (name of contact) if it would be helpful for
you to have an interpreter present at the meeting.

You also have the right to see a copy of (name of pupil)’s school record, however,
due to confidentiality restrictions, you will need to put your request to me in writing.
I will be happy to supply you with a copy if you request it. There may be a charge for
photocopying.

You may wish to contact Vonda Taylor-Broughton, School Exclusions Officer at

Enfield Local Authority on 020- 8379-4985 who can provide information on the
process.

You may find the following sources for advice and information useful:

Enfield SENDIASS (Enfield Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information

Advice and Support Service) formally Every Parent and Child, Community House,
311 Fore Street, Lower Edmonton N9 0PZ, telephone 0208 373 6243/6273
http://www.enfieldparents.org.uk/ who can provide further advice.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre they aim to provide free legal, impartial advice and
information to parents on state education matters. They can be contacted on
020 7520 0300 or on http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/. Their advice line is
open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays and 24 th December
to 1st January.

A copy of the Government’s Statutory guidance can be accessed at:

http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/behaviour/exclusion

Further advice information

If you believe that the suspension has occurred as a result of discrimination relating
to a disability, you have the right to appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (Special
Educational Needs and Disability) http://www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/send
HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal,
1st Floor, Darlington Magistrates Court, Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1RU or telephone
01325 289350 or email: [email protected]. Making an appeal will not
affect your right to make representations to the Governing Body/Academy
Trust/PRU Management Committee (delete as appropriate).

[The following paragraph may be used if the head teacher chooses to hold a
reintegration interview]

You and (pupil’s name) are requested to attend a reintegration meeting with me
(alternatively specify the name of another member of staff) at (place) on (date) at
(time). If that is not convenient, please contact the school as soon as possible to
arrange a suitable alternative date and time. The purpose of the reintegration
meeting is to discuss how best your child’s return to school can be managed.

(Name of pupil)’s suspension ends on (date) and we expect (name of pupil) to be

back in school on (date) at (time).

Yours sincerely,

Executive Principal/Headteacher / Headteacher / Acting Headteacher

c.c. name/title of the officer that this letter may also be sent out to (if applicable)