Attendance and exclusion rules across the UK nations

The short answer

Education is devolved, so there is no single UK attendance or exclusion procedure. England uses suspension and permanent exclusion, national statutory attendance guidance and a national penalty-notice framework. Wales has its own attendance guidance, penalty-notice rules, and fixed-term and permanent exclusion procedures. Scotland uses attendance and exclusion guidance for education authorities and schools, including 2026 guidance on attendance and reduced learning hours. Northern Ireland uses Education Welfare Service routes and the terms suspension and expulsion. Start with the nation where the child is educated, then identify the school or authority policy, the exact decision, the applicable deadline and an independent advice source.

• Use the nation where the child is educated, not where an article happens to be published.
• Do not transfer England penalty-notice thresholds or exclusion terms across the UK.
• Ask the sender to name the law, guidance and local policy being applied.
• Keep support and suitable education in view while a formal process runs.
• Check the live source because guidance and procedures change.