Removal.

When can a student be removed?

Removal means a permanent ban from the school (or that the school no longer wants to register the student and will unregister them. The school governing body decides if a student will be removed. This is often given to the school management. There are several reasons why a school can remove a student:

• for bad behavior of the student;
• for bad behavior of the parents;
• when the school cannot handle the student;
• the student acts against the values of the school;
• when the student in secondary school is not allowed to continue because the student does not meet the promotion rules and can no longer stay in the class (this must be in the school guide).

Schools can make extra rules for removal. For example, about reasons for removing a student. The rules are written in the school guide. The school participation council can advise on this policy. Parents are involved in this policy.

Cannot handle student

Cannot handle student means that the school can not give the support the student needs. Before the school can decide this, it must check what support the student needs and if the school can give it. If the school cannot give the support, it must find another fitting place for the student.

Bad behavior of the student and/or parents

Bad behavior of the student can lead to removal. The school can decide when a behavior is bad enough for removal. In very rare cases, the behavior of parents can also lead to removal but only if there are no other solutions.

Bad grades

In secondary school, students cannot be removed during the school year because of bad grades. If the school rules say so, a student can be removed if they do not meet the promotion rules and can no longer stay in the class.

What must the school do when removing a student?

Before the school decides to remove a student, the school governing body must talk with the parents to give them a chance to respond.

A student cannot be removed before the school governing body finds another school for the student.

In primary school, a student cannot be suspended while waiting for a place at another school. In secondary school, a student can be suspended for a longer time while waiting for a place at another school.

If a school plans to remove a student, it must talk with the education inspectorate. This is to discuss how the student can continue education during and after suspension.

Strict rules apply for removal:

• before removal, the school must listen to the parents, the student, and the teacher. The final decision comes after this.
• removal can happen only after talking with the education inspectorate.
• the decision must be sent to the parents in writing.
• the letter must say why the student is removed.
• the letter must inform parents that they can appeal.
• the school reports the removal to the attendance officer.

Appealing

A parent gets the removal decision in writing. From then, the parent has six weeks to appeal. The appeal is sent in writing to the school governing body. The school gives the parent and student a chance to explain the appeal in person. The school must answer within four weeks if they will change the decision or keep it.

If your child cannot go to school because of a removal process, contact our advice point.

Dispute committee tailored education

Parents can submit the planned removal to the dispute committee tailored education.

If parents have made an appeal and also contacted the dispute committee tailored education, the school governing body waits for the committee’s decision before deciding on the appeal.

Legal rules

The legal rules for admitting and removing students in primary school are in article 40 WPO. For secondary school, removal is in article 8.15 WVO2022. For special education, it is article 40WEC.