If you are permanently excluded from school, the local education authority must find another place for you to attend from the sixth school day of exclusion. This could be what’s known as a Pupil Referral Unit or an alternative provision academy.

Your school can confiscate your phone if you’ve used it to commit a crime or if the school’s behaviour policy bans phones. A member of staff can look at data on the phone if there is a good reason to do so, and they can delete files or images if they have been, or could be, used to cause harm, disrupt teaching, or break school rules. If you’re suspected of doing something illegal, information on your phone may be passed to the police.

If you attend a school maintained by the local authority, your parents have a right of access to your education record, even if you do not consent. However, if you attend an Academy, the rules are slightly different, and usually your consent would be required under GDPR before the Academy can provide your education record to a parent or carer.

For more information, see Education records.

Your school should provide you with extra support if you find school difficult. For example, they can help you with reading, writing, making friends and talking to adults and organising yourself and your schoolwork. You should speak to your parents and class teacher or SENCO if you need extra help.

For more information, see Getting extra help in school.

Your school should have a uniform policy that sets out what hairstyles are allowed. If the policy states that short hair is not allowed, they can send you home – but they must consider your age, how far from home you live, and where your parents are. The headteacher can also exclude you for breaching the uniform policy if they believe it is reasonable and fair.

For more information, see School Uniform and Exclusions and Discipline.