Expelled? What now?

Government figures have shown that the number of students being expelled has risen 25%, from 4,630 three years ago, to 5,800 in 2015.

So, what if it happens to you?

First of all, what were you thinking?

The law in England is that a student can only be expelled as a last resort, and only if the behaviour is severe enough. Being expelled will never be down to how good your grades are, or if you have learning difficulties. It’s also illegal to expel someone just for their sex, religion or ethnicity.

Eileen Lewis, who works for the Communities Empowerment Network, which helps expelled pupils in London, has given her advice on what students should do should they be excluded.

“If you’re 15 or 16 then you’re focusing on GCSEs, so things couldn’t be more crucial. It’s absolutely critical you get continuing education.”

She said there are a few things you could do, like finding a new school, or Pupil Referral Units.

PRUs offer a second rate education, compared to school standard.

“If you’re a bright pupil who’s doing well and you go to a PRU, suddenly you’re just doing the basics, maybe three or four subjects.”

She did state that it was not the end of the world. And it’s not. Obviously, being expelled is not exactly an optimal play when it comes to your life choices, but it can be rectified, or worked with.

“If you’re thinking of applying to college or sixth form, then let the PRU know. Ask them for a supporting letter, so that when you write your application it’s a bit different. It’s not just an application that says ‘yes’ under ‘have you ever been permanently excluded from school?’ – there’s a story there.”

The DfE have said that permanent exclusions are still very rare, and if you are one of those rare cases, “It doesn’t mean you can’t achieve success, you’re just going to have to go through a different route.”