Rotherham SENDIASS

You may not agree with the reasons behind the suspension. You can put your views in writing to the school governors. If your child is suspended for less than 16 days in a school term, the school governors will not normally hold a meeting; however, if you want to make your views known you can request an opportunity to do so.

The Governors Meeting

If a suspension would bring your child’s total number of school days out of school to more than 15 in a term, then the governors must consider the suspension within 15 school days of receiving notice of the suspension.

This meeting consists of:

• Panel of at least three Governors
• You and your child (you can be accompanied by a friend, Independent Parental Supporter or legal representative, if you wish)
• The Head Teacher
• A representative of the Local Authority
• Any witnesses to the incident
• A person to take the minutes

Procedure at the Meeting

At the start of the meeting, the Chair (a Governor) will introduce everyone present.

The Head Teacher will explain the reason(s) he/she decided to suspend your child and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

You will have an opportunity to speak on behalf of your child, or they may wish to speak themselves or provide their views in writing. The Head Teacher may ask you questions. Please contact us if your child would like impartial information, advice and support to put their views across, as the Young Person’s Information Officer could support them with this, if you feel the suspension relates to their special educational needs or disability. Our service may also offer support for you as a parent/carer.

The Governors can ask questions of both parties.

The Local Authority representative will then give their view of the suspension.

After both the Head Teacher and parents/carers have been given the opportunity to summarise, everyone except the Governors will be asked to leave the room to allow them to reach a decision.