You will be aware that under the statutory guidance all schools and academies are required to routinely notify the LA of termly suspension. With the advent of new data systems and existing system updates, it is the case that increasingly more schools across Suffolk are unintentionally not meeting their statutory obligation to share information with us.

With that in mind, if you have a system that is SIMs based, please could you check to ensure that termly suspension are being shared. Please complete this spreadsheet if your school does not use the SIMS school management system. Schools are reminded that it is a statutory duty to advise us of all suspensions once a term.

We recognise currently that schools are under a lot of pressure keeping children safe over recent months and understand the challenges that this poses to children. Some have undoubtedly struggled to adjust to new norms. We realise that the decision to exclude a child is never taken lightly by a headteacher and we hope that in capturing an accurate picture of exclusion data, both suspension and permanent, in a timely manner we are more able to support the work of schools to meet the needs of all children and young people.

Please send completed spreadsheets via secure e-mail to Tess Howe: [email protected]

If you do not have a secure e-mail please e-mail Tess and she will send you an e-mail that is securely encoded, you can then ‘Reply’ and attach your spreadsheet and it will be secure.

Please contact [email protected] if you wish to discuss this further.