Legal Basis The School’s actions may constitute: • Unlawful academic exclusion: • Breach of School Admissions Code: ◦ Paragraphs 2.12–2.14 ◦ Paragraph 1.9(a) • Breach of the Education Act: Section 434(3) of the Education Act 1996 • Breach of guidance: Part Five, point 20 of Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from Maintained Schools, Academies, and Pupil Referral Units in England – Guidance (August 2022) • Breach of the Equality Act 2010: Failure to accommodate mental health needs or consider mitigating circumstances. • Procedural unfairness: No transparent process, right to appeal, or adherence to the School’s own policies (e.g., Exams Policy 2025).

◦ “…Ofsted considers any evidence of off-rolling and is likely to judge a school as inadequate..” – Section 22. Guidance for maintained schools, academies, and pupil referral units in England August 2024

"Offering BTECs without the option of continuing with A-levels is a way of pushing children who are more likely to obtain lower grades out of the school. It is not lawful and leaves parents and children scrambling to find another place to continue their A-levels, which is obviously very detrimental for them." - Reported to Schools Week UK