Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to tackle the increase in off-rolling before examinations; and if he will make a statement.

A pupil’s name can only lawfully be deleted from the admission register on the grounds prescribed in regulation 8 of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 as amended.

Schools can only exclude pupils, either permanently or for a fixed period, for disciplinary reasons. The Department supports schools in using exclusion where this is warranted. Permanent exclusion should only be used as a last resort, in response to a serious breach or persistent breaches of the school's behaviour policy and where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.

Following media coverage of inappropriate off-rolling last summer, the Department wrote to all secondary schools, reminding them of the rules surrounding exclusion. Ofsted recently issued guidance to inspectors, reminding them to be alert to this matter. The guidance makes clear that instances of off-rolling should be discussed with school leaders during the inspection, and should inform the evaluation of evidence for the effectiveness of leadership and management, and outcomes for pupils.