School suspension - A guide for parents
If your child has been suspended from school, please read the following guidance and advice
You have the right to make representations to the school’s Governing Board Discipline Committee where the decision to suspend can be reviewed. The Governing Board Discipline Committee must consider your representation if you request it to do so. Whilst the Governing Board Discipline Committee 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. They are not required to arrange a meeting with parents. If you do wish to make representations to the Governing Board Discipline Committee please contact Nicola Blatchford (Clerk to Governors) by emailing admin.downshall@redbridge.gov.uk as soon as possible. Please advise if you have a disability or special needs which would affect your ability to make representations.
You should also be aware that if you think this suspension 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 First Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-special-educational-needs-and-disability . Making a claim would not affect your right to make representations to the Governing Board Discipline Committee.
You also have the right to see a copy of your child's school record. Due to confidentiality restrictions, you will need to notify the Headteacher in writing if you wish to be supplied with a copy of your child's school record. The School will be happy to supply you with a copy if you request it. There may be a charge for photocopying.
The School inform the School Exclusions Team at the London Borough of Redbridge of your child’s exclusion. You may wish to contact London Borough of Redbridge School Exclusions Team. (contact details are below). You may also find it useful to contact sources of impartial advice for parents such as:
- Coram’s Child Law Advice service https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/school-exclusion/ or contacted on 0300 330 5485 from Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm
- ACE education run a limited service and can be reached on 0300 0115 142 on Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 1pm during term time. http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/
- Redbridge Information, Advice and Support Service for Special Educational Needs & Disability (RIASS) https://redbridgeiass.org.uk/ 0208 708 8939 rias@redbridge.gov.uk
- National Autistic Society (NAS) School Exclusion Service (England) 0808 800 4002 schoolexclusions@nas.org.ukhttps://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/help-and-support/school-exclusion-service
- Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA – www.ipsea.org.uk) is a registered charity. It offers free and independent information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.
- Communities Empowerment Network http://cenlive.org/ 020 7733 0297 info@cenlive.org
- Statutory guidance on school suspensions and permanent exclusions can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusion