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Written question asked by Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 September 2026. It was answered by Paul Waugh (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Academies: Pupil Exclusions

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what powers she has under academy funding agreements to intervene where a trust does not convene a governing board meeting to consider reinstatement of excluded students within 15 school days.

Answer

Academy trusts must have regard to the statutory Suspension and Permanent Exclusion guidance. The guidance is clear that, where a pupil is permanently excluded, and where a suspension would take the pupil’s total number of suspended school days above 15 in a term, or where the pupil would miss a public examination or national curriculum test, the governing body must consider and decide on the pupil’s reinstatement within 15 school days of receiving notice of the exclusion.

Academy trusts must comply with their legal and contractual obligations. Where a failure amounts to a breach of the relevant funding agreement, the department may use the intervention powers available under that agreement. Depending on the circumstances and the precise terms of the trust’s funding agreements, this may include requiring remedial action, issuing a termination warning notice and, ultimately, terminating the agreement.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
26821
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Pupil exclusions Academies
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk