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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

10 yr old son expelled from school today

124 replies

Edinburghschool2026 · 14/01/2026 20:28

This isn't a aibu but wanted the traffic.

My ds10 was expelled from school today. We are in Edinburgh and it's a state school. Could anyone with experience with Edinburgh Council explain how serious this is? Also What options there is.

Thank you

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 14/01/2026 20:28

Presumably not completely out of the blue??

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 14/01/2026 20:29

Is that not a last resort? What happened?
The Law: A pupil can only be excluded if their continued presence is "seriously detrimental to order and discipline" or the "educational well-being" of others.

there would have been many Team Around Child meetings, temporary exclusions..

Theonlywayicanloveyou · 14/01/2026 20:30

Of course it’s a serious. What was the build up?

The local authority will have to provide an alternative provision though - have you been in touch?

LightYearsAgo · 14/01/2026 20:30

Getting expelled at age 10 is extremely serious, what happened?

Littletreefrog · 14/01/2026 20:31

Do you mean permanently excluded or suspended for a set period?

Sausagescanfly · 14/01/2026 20:31

I thought that Scottish schools weren't really allowed to expel children anymore.

MashDown · 14/01/2026 20:31

Presumably this is primary? What options have you already been given?

As he’s only 10 it sounds like he’s been very very badly let down by the system somewhere.

Nocameltoeleggingsplease · 14/01/2026 20:32

What was the reason?
Primaries do not usually suspend unless for very serious reasons

CarrierbagsAndPJs · 14/01/2026 20:32

Littletreefrog · 14/01/2026 20:31

Do you mean permanently excluded or suspended for a set period?

Expelled means permanently excluded.

The local authority have to provide an alternative such as another mainstream primary school, a specialist or nurture school, a pupil support base, part-time provision somewhere. Or there is home schooling.

As secondary in england what I have known students NOT be pm’d for is unreal.

wizzbitt · 14/01/2026 20:32

Are you able to give more information? Schools don’t just permanently exclude. Have they put measures in place to support DS and the family? There are several layers of measures that need to be reached before a permanent exclusion - in theory anyway.

StrongSandwichChoice · 14/01/2026 20:32

OP, you are giving too much away in your post. It would be very easy to work out who you and your DS are.

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 14/01/2026 20:33

Do you mean suspended?

PollyBell · 14/01/2026 20:33

Wouldn't the school be the best place to tell you what next?

Switcher · 14/01/2026 20:33

Get legal representation if you haven't already.

Littletreefrog · 14/01/2026 20:34

CarrierbagsAndPJs · 14/01/2026 20:32

Expelled means permanently excluded.

The local authority have to provide an alternative such as another mainstream primary school, a specialist or nurture school, a pupil support base, part-time provision somewhere. Or there is home schooling.

As secondary in england what I have known students NOT be pm’d for is unreal.

Edited

Yes but people don't always use the terms accurately so I was just checking. Especially as the query was about how serious it was and I think most people would understand permanently excluded was serious.

Figgygal · 14/01/2026 20:34

Jesus what did he do or is alleged to have done?
Is this primary?
My ds was a victim of verbal and physical abuse for 2 years at end of primary school to extent the police were involved and he couldn't walk round school without supervision and the shit still wasn't excluded

Hankunamatata · 14/01/2026 20:35

Unless there's details op, I'm not sure what help you want.

Has school followed correct procedure?
Is this expulsion due to a serious incident?

aloysiuswasabear · 14/01/2026 20:37

Expulsion in Scotland is astonishingly rare and at 10 years old there has to have been some serious behaviour concerns regarding your son ( this is about the only grounds on which a student can be expelled in Scotland) . You were surely aware there were issues? I believe the council is still responsible for the expelled students education and will either have to provide this in a different setting or through a tutor.

Plinketyplonks · 14/01/2026 20:38

My kids are in a Scottish primary near Edinburgh and I thought it was almost unheard of for a child to be expelled. Try and keep a calm head and write down your options. Speak to the council’s education department tomorrow for advice on what next.

Edinburghschool2026 · 14/01/2026 20:38

Not completely out the blue and it's for a set amount of day's. He was already on a reduced timetable.
His school have done everything they possibly can to support him but unfortunately it's just not enough anymore. There is a application for a special school in progress as his issues are sen related.

OP posts:
trustedadult · 14/01/2026 20:40

Edinburghschool2026 · 14/01/2026 20:38

Not completely out the blue and it's for a set amount of day's. He was already on a reduced timetable.
His school have done everything they possibly can to support him but unfortunately it's just not enough anymore. There is a application for a special school in progress as his issues are sen related.

So he's suspended.
not expelled.

TheCurious0range · 14/01/2026 20:40

Do you mean excluded rather than expelled?

Edinburghschool2026 · 14/01/2026 20:40

MashDown · 14/01/2026 20:31

Presumably this is primary? What options have you already been given?

As he’s only 10 it sounds like he’s been very very badly let down by the system somewhere.

Edited

His school have been fantastic and I understand why the decision today was done. This isn't a case of him being let down by his school

OP posts:
Hopelasts · 14/01/2026 20:41

It isn't expulsion. It is permanent exclusion. A place will have to be found in another local school. Numbers are dropping everywhere due to falling rolls. There will be space in a local school. We had a boy expelled because of drug dealing. A space was found for him in a nearby comp. He did really well there and went to a good university followed by a good job. It is an opportunity for a fresh start.

CarrierbagsAndPJs · 14/01/2026 20:42

Edinburghschool2026 · 14/01/2026 20:38

Not completely out the blue and it's for a set amount of day's. He was already on a reduced timetable.
His school have done everything they possibly can to support him but unfortunately it's just not enough anymore. There is a application for a special school in progress as his issues are sen related.

So he has not been expelled, he has been excluded. If you want advice that is accurate you need to have your title changed.

You need to speak to the council about alternative provision and chances if getting in at the sen school.

What are you doing at home to address his needs?

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