Exclusions

There is no legal definition of off-rolling but Ofsted defines off-rolling as - ‘the practice of removing a pupil from the school roll without using a permanent exclusion, when the removal is primarily in the best interests of the school, rather than the best interests of the pupil. This includes pressuring a parent to remove their child from the school roll.’

Schools should not pressure families to take their children out of school to avoid an exclusion – many parents simply do not want a permanent exclusion on their child’s record. This is a clear example of off-rolling and is never acceptable, as the statutory guidance on exclusions makes clear. Exclusions rightly go through a robust process to make sure that they are justified. Avoiding this is not fair to pupils or parents.

 ‘A pupil at any type of school can also transfer to another school as part of a ‘managed move’ where this occurs with the consent of the parties involved, including the parents and the admission authority of the school. However, the threat of exclusion must never be used to influence parents to remove their child from the school.’ Exclusion from Maintained Schools, Academies and Pupil Referral Units (2022) ‘If these moves are used in pupils’ best interests, with the agreement of everyone involved within the statutory guidance, this is not off-rolling.’ Dan Owen HMI, Specialist Adviser. However, if parents feel pressured into accepting a managed move this could be constituted as off-rolling

In Gloucestershire we encourage families to make an informed decision regarding home education. Schools should not encourage or coerce a parent to de-register their child from school for the purposes of elective home education (EHE) and equally, school should not create any barriers or seek to dissuade a parent once they have decided to home educate their child. If parents enquire about or indicate they are considering elective home education, schools should offer support and information.  Exit discussions can be offered whereby the parents, school and LA meet to discuss what home education involves and creates an opportunity for parents to ask any questions prior to making a decision.  In addition, parent advisers at Gloucestershire County Council (01452 426015) can advise parents about the EHE process including providing information about what home educating entails and the legal responsibility they are taking on. Further information and guidance for parents can be found here.

If a parent believes that they are being pressured into a managed move or is unhappy with a managed move, they can take up the issue through the school’s formal complaints procedure with the governing board and, where appropriate, the local authority. Within the school inspections framework28, under leadership and management, Ofsted will consider any evidence found of a parent being pressured into a managed move that has resulted in off-rolling and is likely to judge a school as inadequate on the basis of such evidence.

Where a school directs a child off- site, for education to improve their behaviour, such as APS, the child must remain on the schools roll as their main base with the APS being subsidiary dual registered. The school retains overall responsibility for the child including safeguarding.  the In these situations the Part Time Timetable will need to be reported following guidance on Schoolsnet found here.

The prescribed grounds by which the name of a pupil of compulsory school age can be deleted from the admission register can be found here.