New guidance around suspensions and exclusions published
The revised guidance, ‘Suspension and permanent exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement’, introduces significant changes for maintained schools, academies, pupil referral units (PRUs) and alternative provision settings, with a stronger focus on consistency, safeguarding and pupil participation.
One of the most notable changes is the elevation of the document from guidance to statutory guidance for academies and PRUs, creating a more consistent national framework. The DfE has also reinforced that permanent exclusion should only ever be used as a last resort.
The guidance introduces a new category of safeguarding separation, making clear that temporary removal from school premises for safeguarding reasons is not a disciplinary exclusion and must be managed through separate procedures. Additional changes include new requirements around off-site direction, which now apply to academies and PRUs, strengthened expectations for pupil voice in decisions about managed moves and off-site placements, and enhanced protections for looked after children and pupils supported by social workers.
Governors will also have greater responsibilities for monitoring exclusion, pupil movement and safeguarding data. Schools are encouraged to review their behaviour, exclusion and managed move policies ahead of implementation to ensure full compliance from September 2026.
