SUSPENSION AND EXCLUSION POLICY

Exclusions are generally one of three kinds:

Temporary

Indefinite

Permanent (formerly known as expulsion)

1. A pupil may be temporarily excluded for a disciplinary offence for a period of up to five school days after which the pupil will return to the College.
2. A pupil may be indefinitely excluded in the circumstances where the Principal may need to seek specialist advice or where the pupil's return is subject to a condition or conditions. Such exclusions are notified to the Chair of the Board of Governors. 
3. A pupil may be permanently excluded after a decision of the Board of Governors to that effect has been made.

In each case 1‑3 above, it is the duty of the Principal to inform the parents by letter of the exclusion of their child, and to offer them the opportunity to discuss the matter with the College. In each case the Principal will make clear to the parents of the child the reason for the exclusion, and the amount of time for which the child is excluded. In the case of (2) above the Principal shall discuss with the parents the conditions. If the parents refuse to accept the condition(s) then the Principal shall take the matter to the Chair of the Board of Governors; until such time as the matter is resolved the child shall remain excluded from the College.

At Blackwater Integrated College exclusion may be used for one of the following offences:

(a)        Violence whether verbal, as in the use of foul and abusive language, or physical to another pupil, to a member of the teaching staff, to an employee of the College or to a visitor to the College. Violence to another person committed while wearing school uniform and travelling to and from the school could also result in exclusion.

(b)        Wilful damage to property

(c)        Theft of property

(d)         Persistent offending against the ethos of the College

(e)        The possession of, or use of illegal substances or of alcohol while in school, travelling to or from school, or on a school visit or holiday

Permanent exclusion is normally only used as a last resort and after a number of offences have occurred which have warranted exclusion. Nevertheless the College reserves the right to permanently exclude a pupil for one offence if the Board of Governors considers that it is appropriate to do so in the circumstances.

Any exclusion other than a permanent exclusion shall be affected by the Principal.