Excluded from school

[Desperatemamma]

Hi everyone. First post, and coming at you totally terrified, exhausted and scared.
My son is in year 10 high school and was excluded last week for participating in drug taking at school. He didnt bring the drugs in, but he did take some along with 6 other boys from his year.
He has been excluded, but I have no clue how long for, and have been informed that this may be a permanent exclusion.
He has been diagnosed with combined adhd this year and is awaiting medication (waiting list, dont get me started), so while what has happened is awful, it hasn't completely shocked me. He is increasingly impulsive and, in all honesty, I feel like I have lost all control as a Mum.
My questions are...can he be permanently expelled for this? He has never been excluded before but has been making an absolute nuisance of himself in school since he started (constantly on report, making no effort, detention several times a week) so my feeling is if they can get him out they will.
What happens to teens who are expelled? Is it automatically PRU? And is it worth appealing if the worst happens?
Any advice would be amazing. Thanks

I would expect drug use on school to be an permanent teacher exclusion. Pru isn’t actually a given you need to speak to the school find out what’s going on and then the Lea if they are washing hands and being no help. They have to provide an education but that could even be online at home.

No idea where the random teacher came from.

What support have they put in place for his ADHD?

Ask for a meeting asap with sendco/head of inclusion/deputy head to discuss what happens next.

Thanks very much

Thanks. To be totally honest, the support for his ADHD has been zero. I've a couple of meetings after complaining that my emails were being ignored but all of the things I have requested get promised and never materialise. His behaviour is really challenging though (not aggressive/violent but unbelievably defiant) so it's hard to challenge the school when I have so many contacts from them about how poor his behaviour is. I do think the 2 are linked, but aware that I run the risk of sounding like I'm making excuses for him.

The Association of Chief Police Officers recommended against PEX for drug use in schools. If you Google it, you'll find the advice.
Statutorily, they have to provide you with a notification of exclusion at the earliest opportunity that must state whether it is a suspension or a permanent exclusion. They cannot convert from suspension to PEX unless they suspend 'pending investigation' and state that in the initial letter.
If you're child has ADHD, look up the Equality Act (2010) and the school's responsibilities with regard to that. They have to make alterations to policy and practice to meet needs of children who have (or they suspect to have) additional needs.
If they don't follow these statutory guidelines, the exclusion will be illegal and if you go to appeal the decision, you will win.
(I'm an ex Head of Behaviour and I've written on this subject widely)

Thank you so much thats really useful

following on from your post I have a similar issue, can anyone offer any guidance?

My Son has recently been offsited to a PRU, has anyone had any expereince of this? Both schools are very reluctant to give me any information on the rationale and duration. I have written to the school, emails have been ignored. I have raised a formal complaint to the Executive Headteacher but still had no clarity. SEN have been missed by the school and I consider my son to be vulnerable for a number of reasons, absent father, some substance abuse, etc. He has had behaviour issues but only in the last few months.
The absence of any clartiy is causing anxiety, stress and affecting my mental health.
Has anyone been through this process who could share how it should look like and what I can do to appeal to give him a second chance in a mainstream school?
I have today contacted my MP and the Council who deal with exclusions etc.
Many thanks and sorry for the ramble. The lack of communicaiton and clarity is causing me and my son so much anxiety.

Honestly prus can be so so much better. Smaller classes teacher who want you to learn rather than caring about a uniform or your hair cut. Treating you like equal human being than a stupid little kid. Prus are not the devil. They can be brilliant.

Most pru places are actually time limited so the child is expected to return back to their original school also but with a support worker from the pru on a shortened timetable.

I have been open minded about the PRU. However we still don’t know why he’s been sent there and for how long. I’ve raised complaints and they just ignore me.
I am unable to sleep I feel desperate that I’m being ignored. When he asked the pastoral manager at the PRU if there was any possibility of returning to mainstream she said no you have hit rock bottom and walked away from him.

I want to be positive but there is so many questions unanswered.

That doesn’t sound good at all your right. They shouldn’t be telling a child that’s it Rock bottom no going back. I’d email the school, Cc in the governors, the pru and the Lea tbh.

Thank you the local MP seems keen to help. I will email all those involved now.

Are you familiar with the updated 2022 guidance because your post suggests you may not be.

This is all new .to me. The decision was made to offsite on 16 Nov, I have requested time and time again for info and the school are silence. Its actually making me unwell I was up all night drafting more complaint letters. I spoke to a lawyer today and she said as he does not have a dianosed disability I have no right of appeal. Is there anyone here who could help me? I am struggling. I have been on line and done lots of research drafted a letter quoting the various act but I am not hopeful.

Note it is not an exclusion it is an off site to an alternative provision.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/942014/alternative_provision_statutory_guidance_accessible.pdf

Paragraphs 23-25 should help you

I think it is highly likely it will be a permanent exclusion. Bringing illegal drugs onto a school site is I think one of the few things that would be an automatic exclu

Thank you it is an academy and I have quoted all those points in my letter. Its with the MP who have asked LEA to respond. My son had been attending the PRU for over two weeks but I didnt send him today in relation the comment about him having having hit rock bottom. Im inclined to wait until i have some direction, tomorrow they are going ice skating and Friday is a half day - whats your thoughts

My son hasnt brought drugs into school that was the original post.

If he has been directed to an off site provision under the guidance and you choose to keep him off that will be unauthorised absence. I suggest you request to meet with the Head of the PRU to discuss what is happening.

That sounds very stressful, @alittlelost2022 . Have a look at the Ipsea guidance on direction offsite, it's a bit more digestible than the statutory guidance and regulations. You can also contact Ipsea for advice. They are very well-informed on stuff like this.

www.ipsea.org.uk/directing-pupils-off-site

@alittlelost2022

It might be a good idea to report your post to MN using the report button and getting them to start a new thread for your problem - as currently people are getting a little confused between the OP and your new issue

Have you approached the LA to see if you can get your son a place in a new school for a fresh start. It doesn't sound like the Academy wants to take him back

This has been the head teacher of the PRU comments...... I have been asking for these for 3 weeks. Not willing to provide me with any information on his referal.

I am sure the team will respond to you as soon as they have answers regarding SEN Assessments, councilling and Bus passes.
Most of which you will appreciate have timelines and waiting lists which can be out of our control.
With reference to your request for xxx referral documentation.
I have spoken with xxxxxxschool and they have informed me that you have submitted a subject access request and will therefore be responding to your request for information themselves as xxxxx remains on their main school role.