School Suspension and Exclusion Local-Authority Notification Procedure

This procedure applies to a maintained or academy primary or secondary school in England whenever the school suspends or permanently excludes a pupil. It applies regardless of the length of the suspension.

1. Responsibility

The person responsible for the exclusion notification is [responsible notification role]. That person must ensure that the local authority is informed without delay whenever a pupil is suspended or permanently excluded.

2. Notification trigger

Start this procedure as soon as the decision to suspend or permanently exclude a pupil has been made. Do not omit the notification because the suspension is short.

3. Prepare the notification

Use the school’s approved notification record and include the relevant pupil and exclusion details. Confirm that the suspension or permanent-exclusion decision has been recorded before sending the notification.

4. Send the notification

Send the notification to [local authority contact] without delay using [local authority notification method]. Record the date and time sent.

5. Check acknowledgement

Check whether the local authority has acknowledged receipt. Record the acknowledgement when it is available.

6. If transmission fails

If the notification cannot be sent or an expected acknowledgement is not available, follow [notification failure escalation route]. Record the failed transmission, the action taken, and any subsequent notification or acknowledgement.

7. Records

Retain the suspension or permanent-exclusion decision, the notification to the local authority, the date and time sent, any available acknowledgement, and the relevant pupil and exclusion details.