School Suspension Policy

The most current information about the Ministry's School Suspension policy can be found in these documents.

The Court of Appeal judgement of 27 August 2008 means that the 2007 supplement is good practice, but is not compulsory for principals or boards of trustees to follow. While it contains guidance for investigating incidents of misbehaviour it is not obligatory to involve parents before suspending. That said, principals must be flexible and respond appropriately to each individual situation (including considering student’s circumstances).  Records should be clear: they should show that principals and boards have adequately and openly considered all options and applied the relevant criteria.
 
 Boards and principals should continue to follow all of the June 2004 Guidelines for principals and boards of trustees on stand downs, suspensions, exclusions, and expulsions.

The Ministry of education is currently developing new guidelines to schools which will be available in early 2009.