My child has been stood down or suspended from school. What are our rights?

General information from Lawmateanz

Under New Zealand's Education and Training Act 2020, a principal can stand down a student for a limited number of school days, or suspend them for serious misconduct, ongoing disobedience or behaviour that's a danger to others.

If your child is suspended, the school board must meet to decide what happens next. You and your child have the right to attend, to see the information the board will consider, to speak, and to bring a support person.

The board can lift the suspension, extend it with conditions, or, in serious cases, exclude or expel the student.

Get advice early. Student Rights Service and Community Law Centres can help, and you can complain to the Ombudsman about a board's decision.

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