Holy Trinity Dobcross – Exclusion Policy and Procedures April  2011

Philosophy of our Behaviour Policy

 

Our aim is to create a calm, purposeful atmosphere where consistent behaviour standards are expected and maintained throughout the school.

 

At Holy Trinity we expect pupils to behave in an appropriate way.  We realise that this is more challenging for some pupils and therefore our reward system focuses on the effort each individual child puts into their behaviour.  We focus on the effort to produce fantastic work and reward both this and exceptional behaviour.  We do not reward the behaviour that we and our parents would expect from our pupils.

 

Appropriate behaviour is any behaviour which encourages and maintains the good order and conduct of the school.  Positive behaviour ensures children feel safe, secure and welcome as a member of our school community and the wider community.

 

Positive behaviour is a choice.  Inappropriate behaviour will be treated with this in mind and dealt with accordingly.  However, we understand that children can make mistakes and we encourage them to reflect on their choices and make amends.

 

However, there are occasions where this Philosophy cannot be met and in partnership with our Behaviour policy we set out our Exclusion policy which will clearly define what these occasions are and when/how exclusions will be administered.

 

Rationale

This policy deals with the systems which informs the School’s use of exclusion.  It is underpinned by the shared commitment of all members of the school community to achieve one important aim:

 

1. To ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the school community, and to maintain an appropriate education environment in which all can learn and succeed.

 

Introduction

The decision to exclude a pupil will be taken in the following circumstances:-

a)      If a pupil has reached level 4 (fixed term) or level 5 (fixed and permanent) behaviour on the School’s behaviour chart. (See Appendix 1)

b)      If allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.

Exclusion is an extreme sanction and is only administered by the Headteacher or Deputy in her absence.  Exclusion, whether fixed term or permanent may be used for any behaviour that reaches level 4 or 5 on our Sanctions chart.  These include

• Sudden and violent outburst that might include physical aggression or violence towards others.
• Persistent unacceptable and unmanageable behaviour that results in no learning taking place.
• Persistent bullying
• Other extreme anti-social behaviour.

This is not an exhaustive list and there may be other situations where the Headteacher makes the judgement that exclusion is an appropriate sanction. 

 

 

Exclusion Procedure

Most exclusions are of a fixed term nature and are of short duration (usually between one and three days).

The DfE regulations allow the Heateacher to exclude a pupil for one or more fixed periods not exceeding 45 school days in one school year.

The school will, where possible, follow the DFE guidance flowchart on early intervention in order to reduce the likelihood of a fixed term exclusion.  See diagram 1 for the flowchart.

                                        

The school follows set procedures for fixed term exclusions set out by the DFE.  The flowchart for this procedure can be seen in figure 2.

    

See Appendix 2 for a template of the letter that should be sent to parents in line with the DFE guidance. 

See Appendix 3 for a copy of the LA data requirement sheet.

The school follows the DFE guidance on permanent exclusions and the procedures for this are set out in figure 3.

     

Information regarding the appeals process and the response from Governing bodies can be found in the schools guidance on Exclusions.  Parental advice can also be found here including more explanations of what a fixed and permanent exclusion is.

 

This policy is updated in line with the schools behaviour policy.

 

Appendix 1 – Behaviour Chart

 

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DATE

Dear

I am writing to inform you of my decision to exclude __________for a fixed period of ______day(s). This means that he/she will not be allowed in school for this period. The exclusion begins on ____________ at ______ and ends on _______________at ________.

I realise that this exclusion may well be upsetting for you and your family, but the decision to exclude _______ has not been taken lightly. __________ has been excluded for this fixed period because __________________________________________________________________________.

You have a duty to ensure that your child is not present in a public place in school hours during this exclusion on ______________________unless there is reasonable justification for this. I must warn you that you may be prosecuted or receive a penalty notice from the Local Authority if your child is present in a public place during school hours on the specified dates. If so, it will be for you to show reasonable justification.

We have not set work for the afternoon for ____________ as we feel that he/she would benefit from some time to reflect on his/her actions and discuss them with his/her parents.

You have the right to make written representations about this decision to the governing body. If you wish to make representations please contact _______________ on the school numbers or email address at the top of this letter. Whilst the governing body has no power to direct reinstatement, they must consider any representations you make and may place a copy of their findings on your child’s school record.

You should also be aware that if you think the exclusion relates to a disability your child has, and you think disability discrimination has occurred, you have the right to appeal and/or make a claim to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). The address to which appeals should be sent is SENDIST, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington, DL3 9DN.

You are requested to attend a reintegration interview with _______________________ on _______________. The purpose of the reintegration interview is to discuss how best your child’s return to school can be managed. Such interviews are a legal requirement and failure to attend a reintegration interview will be a factor taken into account by a magistrates’ court if, on future application, they consider whether to impose a parenting order on you.

You also have the right to see a copy of _____________school record. Due to confidentiality restrictions, you will need to notify me in writing if you wish to be supplied with a copy of __________ school record. 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 Paula Green at Oldham Local Authority (Children Young People and Families), Level Six, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1XJ, telephone: 0161 770 3158, email: ecs.pupils@oldham.gov.uk, who can provide advice. You may also find it useful to contact the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) — an independent national advice centre for parents of children in state schools. They offer information and support on state education in England and Wales, including on exclusion from school. They can be contacted on 020 7704 9822 or at www.ace-ed.org.uk.

____________exclusion expires on _____________ at _________ and we expect _________ to be back in school on _________________ at ____________.

Yours sincerely

Miss E A Travis

Head teacher

Appendix 3 – LA data requirement sheet

DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL FIXED TERM EXCLUSIONS

(As requested by DCSF)

School:	Name - Establishment Number -
Exclusion details
Type:
Number of days:
Start date:
Reason*:
Pupil Details
Name:
D.O.B:
Gender:
UPN:
SEN status:
Looked after status:

 

*Standard list to be used

1	Physical assault against pupil	2	Physical assault against adult
3	Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against pupil	4	Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against adult
5	Bullying	6	Racist abuse
7	Sexual misconduct	8	Drug and alcohol related
9	Damage	10	Theft
11	Persistent disruptive behaviour	12	Other

 

Please complete and send with a copy of the exclusion notification letter to:

Senior Exclusions Officer

Pupil Service

Level 6

Civic Centre

West Street 

Oldham 

OL1 1XJ

(electronic copies can be requested by e-mail: paula.green@oldham.gov.uk)