Permanent Exclusion Governor’s meeting

[MumnMore]

Hi all,
Can anyone tell me if I am legally required to provide my written representations /report prior to the meeting?
I haven’t been told of this by the clerk. I don’t want to turn up for the meeting and have my report rejected but I don’t really want the Headteacher to read it all beforehand and have time to make excuses.

Guidance says that the panel should -

• ask for any written evidence in advance of the meeting, including witness statements and other relevant information held by the school such as those relating to a pupil’s SEN and the pupil’s school record;
• • where possible, circulate any written evidence and information, including a list of those who will be present, to all parties at least five school days in advance of the meeting;

Honestly it won't benefit you to withhold anything you want the panel to consider. If the school needs time to be able to respond and the panel considers that necessary, the panel could adjourn to allow them to do so. The panel will also have all the written documentation from the school in advance.

You are not required to provide anything in advance. A pack will be put together by the school containing (hopefully!) all the information regarding the decision to exclude. This should be sent out a week in advance so everyone has time to read and think about any questions they may have. Generally, the panel will meet with school staff, parents and student, hopefully the local authority representative.
The school will present their case for why permanent exclusion is necessary and how they have followed the DfE guidance appropriately.
Each party is then able to ask questions to further understand what has happened and why.

As parents, you will be able to state your case as to why you feel the exclusion should not have happened - it can be helpful to think about this when reading through the pack and make notes in advance!

This is the guidance issued by the DfE and that school should be following

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64ef773513ae1500116e30db/Suspension_and_permanent_exclusion_guidance_september_23.pdf

If you don't provide them in advance, the governors won't be able to read them before they make their decision.

To add, if there is written evidence from elsewhere that you think the governors should take into account it needs to be sent in advance to be added to the pack. Governors can only consider what is in the pack or discussed during the meeting. If you have evidence that contradicts the school's version of events you will need to submit it beforehand - you cannot just ask for it to be considered during the meeting. Panel members need time to read and consider in advance as others have said. But you are not required to submit anything - only if you think it would help your case!

Thanks all for the information.
I don’t understand why the clerk hasn’t informed me that written representations should be shared. My meeting is in the 9th and now it’s the Easter holidays I can only hope they will receive and pass on to the panel. Thanks again!