The previous Conservative Government condemned the practice of off rolling in schools, which has been echoed by the Labour Government. I hope the action recently identified by the current Government will curb this unsavoury practice for all time, thereby bringing an end to a custom which damages children.
What is off rolling?
There is no statutory definition of off rolling although Ofsted conveniently describes it in a concise statement. “Off-rolling is the practice of removing a pupil from the school roll without using a permanent exclusion, when the removal is primarily in the best interests of the school, rather than the best interests of the pupil. This includes pressuring a parent to remove their child from the school roll.” Ofsted is explicit that off rolling is never acceptable. I agree.
It is important to acknowledge that not every change of school or learning arrangement amounts to off rolling. A genuine parental decision to home educate is not off rolling. Nor is dual registration at two schools, for agreed alternative provision, off rolling. Nor is a managed move to another school, that is clearly in the pupil’s best interests and follows statutory guidance. However, in stark contrast, putting pressure on a parent to withdraw a child to avoid a recorded exclusion is off rolling.
Why does off rolling happen?
Concerns about off rolling have grown over many years. There appear to be two factors driving schools to make decisions to deploy this unacceptable practice. First, accountability measures such as Progress 8 attainment can create incentives to remove lower attaining pupils from a school’s cohort. Second, financial pressures can push schools to reduce the number of special educational needs pupils. Both factors may operate alongside behaviour concerns that are real but are not addressed lawfully by the school. Teacher surveys and Ofsted commissioned research have also reported that staff perceive off rolling to be more common in the years before GCSEs and that vulnerable pupils are most at risk, including those on free school meals and with special educational needs.
What the 2026 schools white paper means for parents
The Government’s Every Child Achieving and Thriving white paper, published in February 2026, proposes changes that are important to parents worried about their child’s education. The white paper sets ambitions to raise attainment and reduce absence. Alongside changes which measure pupil progress, the white paper commits to stronger monitoring of pupil movement to identify problematic patterns that might suggest off rolling. The Government wants to see suspended pupils kept on site, in schools, and will place duties on schools to set work for excluded pupils.
The Government states that it will strengthen scrutiny of all pupil movement including unacceptable off rolling practice by developing a new, internal dashboard that identifies school level trends in how children move through the education system. They go on to state that they “will take a curious approach to identify patterns in pupil movement. Where concerns are identified, through data analysis, these will be followed up on a targeted basis”. I am pleased to learn that they will pay particular attention to schools where special educational needs, free school meals, or demographic trends appear significantly out of kilter with other schools in the same geographical area.
Sanctions are rightfully proposed where a school is found guilty of off rolling. When an Ofsted inspector finds evidence of bad practice, this will be recorded in the school’s report card. As a result, the school may be graded as requiring ‘urgent improvement’, resulting in intervention in the school.
Suspensions, exclusions and pupil movement
It is vital to distinguish lawful processes from practices that may amount to off rolling. Suspensions and permanent exclusions are lawful when used as a last resort and when schools follow the statutory guidance. Exclusion for reasons that are not disciplinary is unlawful.
If your child is suspended or excluded, the school must inform you of the decision and your rights. The school has duties in respect of exclusions, which include your right, as a parent, to appeal that decision.
Which children are most affected by off rolling?
Evidence shows that off rolling and exclusion concerns are not spread evenly. Ofsted has reported that disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and pupils with low prior attainment are disproportionately removed from the school roll. The data on suspensions and permanent exclusions reveals, unsurprisingly in my experience, higher rates for pupils with identified special educational needs when compared with their peers. I know that poor behaviour can be a manifestation of a child in need of support. Unfortunately, such poor behaviour may be used as a basis for removing a child from school rather than a trigger to assess and support that child.
Practical signs that may indicate off rolling
As a solicitor who specialises in helping parents of school children, I often see the same warning signs. These are not always tantamount to off rolling but the warning signs should prompt careful questions. Situations that I come across include:
- You are asked to withdraw your child to home education without a proper discussion of support and without written confirmation that this is your voluntary choice.
- Your child is repeatedly sent home to cool off after alleged bad behaviour, or placed on a part time timetable for behaviour reasons, without a clear plan, review dates and an end point.
- A managed move is presented as inevitable rather than discussed as one option within a documented plan that sets out support and outcomes.
If you feel you are being pushed into a decision, do not be afraid to challenge the school and if necessary, seek advice from a school expert solicitor.
What you can do now about off rolling
Ask for everything in writing
If you are told that a change is in your child’s best interests, ask for a written explanation that sets out the reasons, the evidence behind the school’s decision and the plan proposed by the school. Where the school proposes removal from their school roll, ask for the legal basis of the decision. If the proposal does not sound right, you may be able to challenge it as off rolling.
Check whether lawful exclusion processes are being followed
If your child is suspended or excluded, ensure the school is following the statutory guidance. If a permanent exclusion is issued, you have rights to make representations, to see the evidence and to seek an independent review.
Link behaviour to need and request assessment where appropriate
If your child has special educational needs or you suspect they do, ask the school to identify the support it has provided. You should also consider asking the school for an education, health and care needs assessment if the current school support is not meeting the needs of your child.
Keep a clear record
Maintain a timeline of meetings, emails and decisions. Include the dates of any reduced timetables or periods where your child was asked to leave school during the day. Good records help you and they help any reviewer or tribunal understand whether the school has acted lawfully.
Escalate concerns early
If you have concerns about how your child is being treated, use the school complaints policy and escalate to the governing board if needed. If removal from the school roll is proposed or you are under pressure to withdraw your child, seek legal advice promptly.
My view as a specialist education solicitor
I see too many cases where children who need support are not given the right help. The law recognises that suspensions and exclusions are sometimes necessary, but it also expects schools to act lawfully and to work in partnership with parents. The current white paper proposals to reshape accountability are a welcome direction of travel. However, these proposals will only make a difference for your child if every step taken by the school is recorded, justified and aligned with the new rules.
If you are concerned that your child is being off rolled or that exclusion is being used in a way that does not address need, please get in touch. As a specialist education solicitor, I advise parents on off rolling, exclusions, special educational needs, safeguarding and behaviour issues. My experience is that early advice and interacting with the school can prevent an unfair outcome, as well as securing the support your child deserves.