Welfare, attendance and exclusions

A parent's guide on a child's welfare and attendance at school and information on exclusions.

School exclusions

Only the headteacher or teacher in charge of a pupil referral unit (or, in their absence, the acting headteacher or teacher in charge) can exclude a pupil and it must be on disciplinary grounds.

Fixed-period exclusions

A fixed-period exclusion refers to a pupil who is not allowed in school for a set number of days for disciplinary reasons. The pupil remains on the register of the school but is expected to return when the exclusion period ends.

Fixed-period exclusions can be between 0.5 and 45 school days. No pupil can be excluded for more than a total of 45 school days in any 1 academic year.

A permanent exclusion is not an automatic next step, following a fixed-period exclusion.

The  fixed period exclusion guide (PDF) [79KB] explains more about exclusions, what should be considered, making the decision to exclude a child from a school and the process that should be followed.

Permanent exclusions

A permanent exclusion refers to a pupil who is excluded and his or her name removed from the school register. Excluded pupils should then be educated at another school or through another form, such as an alternative provision within Hillingdon.

Permanent exclusion should only be used as a last resort, in response to a serious breach (or persistent breaches) of the school's behaviour policy or where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of other pupils and staff.

The  Permanent exclusions guide (PDF) [229KB] explains more about exclusions, what should be considered, making the decision to exclude a child from a school and process that should be followed.

Changes to statutory guidance

All exclusions that take place between 25 September 2020 and 24 September 2021 (inclusive of those dates) are subject to amended arrangements regarding:

  • the use of remote access technology (for example, video conferencing or telephone conferencing software) for meetings of governing boards or independent review panels
  • the deadline for applications for an independent review.

Governing boards and independent review panels (IRPs) who have a duty to meet to discuss an exclusion that occurred between 25 September 2020 and 24 September 2021 may be eligible for time extensions in some circumstances.

Meetings relating to exclusions occurring between 25 September 2020 and 24 September 2021 must take place within the normal timescales described in the school suspensions and permanent exclusions guidance.


If you would like to discuss your child's exclusion further, email our school placement and admissions team at exclusionsupport@hillingdon.gov.uk.

Page last updated: 07 Mar 2023