Challenging an exclusion

You may want to challenge the exclusion if: 

  • you want your child to be reinstated in the school that’s excluded them
  • you do not want your child back in the school, but you feel the exclusion was unfair

You have the right to challenge the exclusion with the school governors.

Your right to appeal

If the school governors do not agree with your challenge, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed by an Independent Review Panel. 

Panel members are completely independent from the school, academy trust or local authority. Their role is to assess whether a pupil's exclusion is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. A Special Educational Needs (SEN) expert can give impartial, expert advice to the panel.

If the review is successful, the school will withdraw the original decision and may offer to reinstate your child in the school. This does not always happen and we’ll then find an alternative place for your child.

Find out more about suspensions and exclusions (GOV.UK)