Process summary

The exclusion process can take more than 45 school days to complete.

Day 1

The headteacher decides to exclude a young person permanently.

Day 1 to day 15 – governor panel

Governors have 15 school days to meet with the school and the family to consider whether to exclude permanently.

Where possible, the school's exclusion paperwork, which evidences the decision to exclude permanently, is given to all parties (governors, local authority and family) at least 5 school days before the governors' meeting.

Day 15 to day 30

This is only applicable if the governors uphold the decision to exclude permanently. The family have 15 days to ask for an independent review panel (IRP).

Day 30 to day 45

The council or academy trust has 15 school days to arrange the IRP and for the hearing to take place.

Page last updated: 20 July 2026