School response to student breach of discipline: indefinite suspension?

political analyst

During my time as a student at secondary school, I recall that, early in 2002, the principal and the deputy principal mentioned 'indefinite suspension' when they reminded all students about disciplinary policy.

Surely, if school authorities want to end the presence of a disruptive student at the school, they would do that by expulsion or at least 'invite' that student to leave, and suspension is supposed to be for a definite period, isn't it?

Can any teacher who was working at a secondary school in the year that I mentioned recall the phrase 'indefinite suspension' being used by colleagues and shed any light on it?

Claw Hammer

One thing I recall from being at school is that expulsion costs money. The headage payment is cancelled. With indefinite suspension, the student stays on the books and the school gets the grant.

Jim_Hodge

An indefinite suspension can end with the student returning to school after an indefinite, or undefined, period. An expulsion is final.

political analyst

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407436#Comment_120407436

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407452#Comment_120407452

Is the cost of expulsion to do with the appeals process? If it's not made clear whether or when the student can return, isn't it fraudulent to keep the student on the books?

If it's not made clear as to when the student can return, can there be an appeal against the indefinite suspension? If convicted criminals can appeal against their sentences then I'd be surprised if an indefinitely suspended student can't do the same.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407637#Comment_120407637

They're' usually indefinite because something like an investigation or court case may be pending and it's not known how long the suspension may be required. There can be an appeal against any suspension or expulsion.

Claw Hammer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407637#Comment_120407637

The cost is the loss of the grant.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410048#Comment_120410048

Schools won't go the indefinite suspension route, as opposed to expulsion, because of the loss of a capitation grant for one student. You don't seen to get that the indefinite suspension means no specified duration pending some other action, report, or investigation the duration of which is not known.

Claw Hammer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410213#Comment_120410213

I'm telling it the way it was in my day.

political analyst

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410048#Comment_120410048

But only a very small number of students in a secondary school would reach the point of indefinite suspension, expulsion or being persuaded to leave. Therefore, the pupil-teacher ratio in that school wouldn't be affected by expulsions - any deficit in the pupil numbers would be more than made up for with the intake of first-year students every September.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120412589#Comment_120412589

Correct. No school would take action based on a single student's capitation grant of a few hundred a year. It's an absurd notion and no board of management would sanction an indefinite suspension over expulsion and leave themselves responsible for the repercussions. The use of the two disciplines is very clearly laid down.

Bobtheman

Schools are full of **** who cause disruption of other students. Make life hell for everyone.

The state should provide special classrooms and psychologists for these students. But won't

A lot of these students wouldn't act this way in a Job.

Principals are often slow to expell these pupil's because they get wrapped on the knuckles by the department plus don't have to deal with them.

Bobtheman

I'd encourage all teachers having to put up with these **** to make complaints on health and safety grounds and throw in the odd letter from a solicitor.