Stand-downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions
Private schools: Suspensions and expulsions
Discipline in private schools is decided by each school’s own rules and processes. You can expect the school to behave fairly and reasonably – this is implied by your enrolment agreement with the school.
Private schools do not have to follow the rules in the Education and Training Act for suspensions, exclusions and expulsions.
What happens after I’m suspended or expelled from a private school?
Education and Training Act 2020, Schedule 7 clause 16
First, the principal must immediately tell the Ministry of Education.
If you’re under 16
If you’re not back at school, or enrolled at another school, reasonably soon after being suspended or expelled, the Ministry has to make arrangements for you. The Ministry will:
- arrange for you to be enrolled in another school, or
- direct a state school to enrol you, or
- direct your parents or guardians to enrol you in a correspondence school.
If you’re 16 or older
The Ministry doesn’t have to do any of those things, but it can choose to do this. The Ministry has to consult with you, your parents or guardians and the new school’s board before it directs a state school to accept you.
