How much do you actually know about your teen’s rights at school?

Everyone has the right to free education until January 1st after their 19th birthday. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their child attends school between the ages of 6  and 16.

Suspensions, stand downs, exclusions, expulsions

Only the principal of the school or a person with delegated authority of the Board of Trustees (BOT) can stand-down or suspend a student.

A suspension is the formal removal of a student from a school until the Board of Trustees makes a decision.

A stand-down is the formal removal of a student form school for a specified period. Stand-downs can total no more than five days in a term or 10 days in a year.

A principal must advise you that your child has been stood-down or suspended. You are entitled to meet with the Principal and Board of Trustees and have your say in determining what actions they will take with respect to your child.

If you are asked to withdraw your child from the school rather than face expulsion / exclusion, you should know that this is illegal.

Leaving school

Your teen may not know what they want to do with life, but they may decide they are certainly done with school. Making the transition from the school environment to the next stage in life is not always easy, whether they have aspirations towards something or no idea of what they want to do.

In the first instance, encourage them to get advice from a School Guidance Counsellor before they leave. They will be able to offer options and even arrange placements so your son or daughter can get a better understanding of what’s on offer.

And remember to support them. They are in a difficult point of their life and probably just want to know you are behind them whatever they decide to do.