Information for schools

Schools may wish to contact TESSA for specialist advice on how to support a pupil who has received suspensions or is at risk of permanent exclusion.

Documents and letter templates relating to suspensions and exclusions can be accessed below. For advice and support about suspensions, exclusions or the managed transfer process, please email managedtransfersandexclusions@sthelens.gov.uk

Department for Education guidance

Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement - 2023

Model letters

• Model Letter 1 (Word doc, 25 KB) - From headteacher notifying parent of a fixed term suspension of less than 6 days in one term.
• Model Letter 1a (Word doc, 23 KB) - From headteacher notifying parent of a lunchtime half-day suspension totaling a fixed period exclusion of less than 6 days per term.
• Model Letter 2 (Word doc, 25 KB) - From headteacher notifying parent of a fixed term suspension of 6-15 days or where cumulative suspensions in the same term fall within this range.
• Model Letter 3 (Word doc, 27 KB) - From headteacher notifying parent of a fixed period suspension of 16 days or more or where cumulative suspensions in the same term are 16 days or more.
• Model Letter 4 (Word doc, 25 KB) - From the headteacher notifying parent of a permanent exclusion.
• Model Letter 5 (Word doc, 29 KB) - Letter from clerk to the governing body/academy trust inviting parents to the governing body/academy trust suspension meeting for a fixed term suspension of up to 45 days.
• Model Letter 6 (Word doc, 30 KB) - Letter from clerk to the governing body/academy trust inviting parents to the governing body/academy trust exclusion meeting for a permanent exclusion.
• Model Letter 7 (Word doc, 26 KB) - Letter from clerk to the governing body/academy trust to a parent of a pupil serving fixed term suspension, detailing their decision.
• Model Letter 8 (Word doc, 27 KB) - Letter from clerk to the governing body/academy trust to the parent of a permanently excluded pupil upholding a permanent exclusion.
• Model Letter 9 (Word doc, 25 KB) - Letter from clerk to the governing body/academy trust to the parent of a permanently excluded pupil overturning a permanent exclusion.
• Model Letter 10 (Word doc, 27 KB) - From headteacher notifying parent of decision to withdraw a permanent exclusion.

Guidance for pupil discipline committee

Guidance for Governors (Word doc, 291 KB) - Guidance for governors on suspension/exclusion review meetings.