ST ALOYSIUS' COLLEGE
SCHOOL HANDBOOK

SUSPENSION POLICY

1. Suspension is a serious sanction used only rarely by the College. It is for serious breaches of school discipline or persistent misbehaviour that undermines good order and learning.

2. Suspension serves a number of purposes including:

• a "cooling-off" period when all concerned (pupil, parents, teachers, senior staff) can consider the situation and the best way forward

• the signalling by the College authorities of serious disquiet with and disapproval of a child's behaviour

• the sanctioning of a pupil which may be linked to another more directly onerous punishment

3. If a pupil under the age of 16 is suspended, s/he will be sent home in the usual way at the end of the school day. If the suspension follows a serious incident, the pupil will normally be withdrawn from classes for the remainder of the day. Pupils over the age of 16 may be sent home immediately, depending on circumstances. The school will make every reasonable effort to inform parents of the suspension by 'phone, email or letter the same day. If it was not possible to do so on the day the pupil was suspended, a further letter will then be sent setting out in more detail the reasons for the suspension and the arrangements for an interview.

4. Parents should expect suspension to be used:

(a) if the child refuses to obey the school rules or to accept school discipline or punishment

(b) if the child has been involved in a serious incident of misbehaviour

(c) if, despite previous warning and disciplinary action, the child behaves in a way that adversely affects the studies or good order of others

(d) if the child engages in behaviour that is a danger to his or her own safety or the safety and well-being of others

(e) if the child commits a criminal offence at school or at a school function, or while in school uniform (irrespective of whether the offence is in fact prosecuted)

(f) if the parent prevents, discourages or excuses the child from obeying some rule or requirement, or accepting punishment

5. Pupils who have been suspended may not return to school, or attend any school function or games fixture, until they and their parents have attended an interview, with satisfactory outcome.

6. The interview will be conducted by two senior members of staff designated by the Head Master. This will usually be the Housemaster or Head of Sixth Year (or Head of Section in the Junior School) and the Assistant Head Master.

7. At this interview, the circumstances leading to the suspension will be discussed and the pupil and parents will be given the opportunity to comment. The senior members of staff conducting the interview will set out clear expectations for future behaviour and attitude, and indicate any punishment that must be served.

8. If the parents (or pupil over 16) are dissatisfied with the outcome of the suspension interview, they may appeal to the Head Master. In such cases, the pupil will usually continue to be suspended until the Head Master has made a decision and this decision has been accepted by parents and pupil.

9. An appeal against the Head Master's decision may be made to the Chair of Governors (as described in the College Complaints Policy)

10. If the pupil is 16 or over, a copy of any letters sent to parents will also be given to the pupil. The pupil will also be given the opportunity of speaking to a senior member of staff (usually his or her Housemaster, the Head of Sixth Year, or Assistant Head Master) separately from his or her parents.

11. While maintaining a firm line on discipline and insisting on a purposeful attitude to studies and school life, the College will endeavour to support parents in their efforts to do what is best for their children, and to support as well as to challenge pupils who find themselves in trouble.