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Detention

The Education Act 1997 allows a school to detain a pupil outside of normal school hours for disciplinary reasons.

Detentions can take place during school hours, at lunchtime, after school or at weekends. If your child fails to attend without a reasonable excuse, the school may give them a more severe punishment.

Notice of a detention

You're entitled to 24 hours written notice of a detention that takes place outside normal school hours, so you can make arrangements for transport or childcare. The notice should tell you why the detention was given and how long your child will have to stay at school.

If your child cannot attend the detention

If your child cannot attend the detention, you can explain your reasons to your child's teacher or headteacher. They may reconsider the detention in certain circumstances, such as:

  • the detention falls on an important religious day for your family
  • you're concerned about the length and safety of the route between school and home
  • you can't reasonably make alternative arrangements for collecting your child from school

Page last updated: 14 August 2017

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