Temporary exclusion and threatened permanent exclusion

[user1483060276]

I have a resolution meeting at the school in the New Year. Son (15) was caught with cannabis in school and excluded. They have also threatened to permanently exclude him.

Has anyone been to an "resolution meeting", what should I expect, and how can I best prepare?

I think the UCAS reference is very important here. I am sure that reference writers are quite capable of conveying 'entitled arse' without ever writing the words. This is what makes me think that a fresh start somewhere else may be better all round. If he is as bright as the OP thinks then a year or two of having to make his own academic way may be rather good for him.

Schools swap "troublesome" pupils around all the time in order to protect themselves from the impossible headache of permanent exclusions. Just because you can't find statistical evidence anywhere does not mean they aren't (effectively) taking place.

I think the UCAS reference is very important here. I am sure that reference writers are quite capable of conveying 'entitled arse' without ever writing the words

YY. My child has just got a copy of their UCAS reference and I was asking a friend ( who teaches at another school ) about it. She said exactly what you said.

For some courses it doesn't matter at all, but for others it's crucial as they screen all references .

I presume this school is considered a "good" one, if you want him to stay there. If it's good, that will be because of the high standards it imposes and expects from its pupils. Why should your son remain there if he has shown such a disregard for its expectations?

Kr1stina does have a good handle on this I think.

Definitely true that for the most 'prestigious' courses it is NOT just about exam results. I have a lot of friends and family are teachers and they write ucas and other refs and as in other areas of life there's WAYS of putting across something without explicitly saying it that the unis will understand.

Op needs to stop going on about her sons rights, how cannabis is 'no biggie' etc and get her and her sons act together before this meeting.

I think Kr1stina has summarised beautifully - it's a shame the OP seems to have left the thread though.

" Has he said why he does not want to name the dealer? Is it because he is afraid of them? Or is it out of a misplaced sense of loyalty? Or is he worried about the wider consequences, e.g. being seen as a grass, others being angry they have lost their supply? Or is he claiming to not actually know the dealer's name? "

I'm sorry but that just sounds impossibly naive. I don't suppose he wants to get his head kicked in , do you?

Sadly I think it is a distinct possibility your DS is the in school dealer. It would appear that is what the other pupils have stated. I think you are significantly minimising your problems.

it could be Reds, it certainly crossed my mind.

Local authorities in Scotland make it VERY difficult for schools to permanently exclude children. As it affects their exclusion and attainment rates. It is the first thing they have to justify when HMIe come to visit schools/local authority.

Any updates?
I assume she won't be coming back unless ds get good results though...

School may not be back yet. Our schools are back Tuesday in Edinburgh x

Any update on this?!

Sorry, the meeting was earlier this week, I should have updated before now.

The school were actually very supportive.

They have officially ended the exclusion, however they have granted him study leave for the duration of the prelims. They gave him a study pack with revision material and the classwork that he will miss.

They've made a referral to a local youth substance abuse team where he will meet with a councilor, what the next step for that is depends on how the initial chat with the councillor goes.

They appreciated his letter of apology, but were clear that the letter alone was not enough, and they asked both of us to sign a behaviour contract.

He will also meet with the Ed. Psych to have a review of his support needs (he was diagnosed with Aspergers and Sensory Processing Disorder as a young child, but its mild so hasn't received any support with this for years).

There was no further talk of permanent exclusion, however they were very clear that a repeat of this would not be tolerated.

All in all, it was a lot better than I had been fearing.

Sounds positive :) bet you're both relieved!! Hopefully he'll stay on the straight and narrow and get his schooling sorted now :)

I have never ever come across a situation where a pupil was found to be in possession of drugs, and ever attended a lesson in that school ever again. Indefinite study leave is common though. Are they going to take him back after?

I have to say, from your description of his attitude, it sounds to me like there is so much of that crap in his brain that you are effectively communicating with walking talking cannabis rather thn a teenage boy.

Glad to hear things went well User. Hopefully the support he's been offered will help him sort himself out and move on.

Thanks for the update and glad to hear it went well. Hopefully he's had a big fright and he will get his act together.

How are you feeling about it all OP?