Receiving a letter telling you that your child has been suspended from school can knock the wind out of you. So, before you reply to anything, here is the order in which I would work through things if I were in your situation. This guide is for parents in England whose school has just suspended their child. It covers your first 48 hours, the rules on work and education, how to make your views heard, and how to prepare for the return meeting.
In this guide
1. Breathe first: what a suspension is, and is not
2. The first 48 hours, in order
3. Attending the return meeting: how to help shape the plan
4. Are isolation and suspension different?
5. Where to get independent help
Breathe first: what a suspension is, and is not
A suspension is serious, but it is not a permanent exclusion. It has a set end date, and you have rights while it runs. School can suspend for part of a day or for several days, up to 45 school days in a school year in total.
The first 48 hours, in order
1. Get it in writing
School should contact you without delay to notify you about the suspension, then send written notice. This notice should give the reasons for the suspension, the dates your child cannot attend, and details of your right to make representations to the governing board.
If you have only had a phone call, email to confirm what school told you and ask for the written notice.
2. Ask about work
School should set and mark work for the first 5 school days. So ask where to find it, who will mark it, and whether your child can realistically do it at home without the support they get in school.
3. Count the days
If your child is suspended from school for longer than 5 school days, the governing board must arrange suitable full-time education, starting no later than day 6. Remember that back-to-back suspensions are added together, so keep a running count.
4. Write it down today
Keep clear notes of what school says happened and what your child says happened, with dates and times. In addition, keep every email and letter in one folder. The more detail you capture now, the easier the return meeting will be.
5. Put your view in writing
You have the right to make representations to the governing board. For a suspension of more than 5 days, the board must consider them.
If the school suspends a child for more than 15 days in a term, the board must also meet to consider the suspension.
A short, factual letter is enough. Say what happened from your child’s point of view and what support was or was not in place.
6. Mention your child’s needs
If your child has SEN (with or without a diagnosis) or an EHCP, say so and ask what support was in place. With an EHCP, ask school to contact the local authority and request that the authority considers conducting an early review. This matters because the guidance says it is unlawful to exclude a child simply because they have SEN or a disability. Schools must also make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils.
The return meeting: how to help shape the plan
According to the guidance, schools should plan a pupil’s return either before they come back to school or as soon as they return, and they should include parents where possible.
So you are not there just to hear what school has already decided. Your voice counts, and you are there to help shape what happens next.
Four questions to take to the meeting
1. Who is my child’s named adult this week, and where do they go if it gets too much?
2. What happened immediately before the incident, and what changes have been put in place so it does not repeat?
3. Can you please provide full details of any and all support that is in place for their needs, and when will we review it?
4. Please confirm all of this in writing?
Take a notebook and tell everyone you will be making notes, so you have a record of what everyone agrees. If you want word-for-word scripts, my SEND School Meeting Toolkit has them.
Are isolation and suspension different?
Yes. Isolation keeps your child on site but out of class, while a suspension means they cannot attend school at all. Both can affect a child who is already struggling. I explain the other terms schools use in Isolation, Suspension and Exclusion Explained.
Where to get independent help
• IPSEA offers free legal guidance on SEND law.
• Contact has a free helpline for families with disabled children.
• Your local SENDIASS (the information, advice and support service in your council area) gives free, impartial advice. Search for your council’s name and SENDIASS.
And if you want someone alongside you who has been through it, you can work with me.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a school suspend my child?
In England, a child can be suspended for part of a day up to 45 school days in a school year in total. Back-to-back suspensions are added together.
Does my child still get work during a suspension?
Yes. School should set and mark work for the first 5 school days. From day 6, the governing board must arrange suitable full-time education.
Can I challenge a suspension?
You can make representations to the governing board, and for suspensions of more than 5 days the board must consider them. So, put your view in writing, and ask about the process in the school’s behaviour policy.
Is a suspension the same as a permanent exclusion?
No. A suspension has an end date, and your child stays on the school roll. Permanent exclusion removes your child from the roll, and is a last resort.
| Going into a return meeting? My SEND School Meeting Toolkit has the questions and word-for-word scripts. Not ready for that yet? Start with my free guide. |
Written by Evie Jones, parent coach and SEND advocate. I have been through this myself, and I help parents of children who are struggling with school find the next step. This is general information for England, not legal advice.
It draws on the government’s suspension and permanent exclusion guidance, in force from 26 July 2026. However, rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ, and your school’s behaviour policy will have the detail.
