What are the punishments or penalties applicable to middle school or high school?

Verified 27 June 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your child is in middle school or high school and does not meet his or her school obligations. Depending on the seriousness of the facts, several types of measures can be taken against him: punishment, preventive measure, temporary measure or penalty. These measures are not taken by the same people and do not have the same importance. Only the penalty may be challenged by an appeal. We're giving you the regulations to know.

Punishment

The punishment is a measure taken against your child in case of minor breach of his obligations or in case of disruptive behavior.

Example :

When your child forgets their school materials, they are guilty of a minor breach of their obligations.

A teacher or staff (management, education or supervision) can decide.

Punishment must be provided for by the rules and regulations establishment's.

It cannot be collective. It must be individual, but may involve multiple students.

Warning  

a score of 0 cannot be imposed as a punishment.

Here are the punishments that can be taken against your child.

Entering on the correspondence book is a punishment whose reason is explained to your child.

You must sign the log to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

The public apology is a punishment whose reason is explained to your child.

You are informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the log to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

An additional duty is a punishment whose reason is explained to your child. Duty is corrected by the person who gave the punishment.

You are informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the log to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

A restraint is a punishment for which the reason is explained to your child.

You are informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the log to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Exclusion from classes is a punishment for which the reason is explained to your child. He must perform a duty in the institution during his exclusion.

You are informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the log to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Preventive and temporary measures

The preventive measure is intended to prevent a dangerous act from occurring.

The temporary measure ensures order in the institution in the event of disciplinary proceedings against your child.

The preventive measure and the temporary measure must be provided for by rules and regulations establishment's.

A teacher or a management, education or supervisory staff may decide to confiscate a dangerous or prohibited object from your child. They must then hand the object over to the staff of the institution. This object can be, for example, a lighter or a cutter.

Please note

Student search is prohibited

This prevention measure is not included in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

The head of the school may prohibit your child from entering secondary school or college in the event of disciplinary proceedings against him.

Access to the establishment may be prohibited for 2 working days minimum or until the date of the Disciplinary Board if it has been seized.

This temporary measure is not on your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Penalty

The penalty is a measure taken against your child in the event of a serious or repeated breach of his or her obligations. The punishment includes harming people (e.g. verbal or physical abuse) or property (e.g. damage or destruction of equipment).

The penalty must be provided for by rules and regulations establishment's.

It cannot be collective. It must be individual, but may involve multiple students.

Warning  

note 0 may not be imposed as a penalty.

Here are the punishments that can be taken against your child.

The warning is 1er rank in the scale of sanctions.

Who can take the penalty?

The head of the school or the disciplinary council (of the school or department) can punish your child with a warning.

How is the sanction taken?

The warning must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for this punishment must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be notified indicating the time limits and the means of appeal.

Is the penalty entered in the child's school record?

Yeah. Yeah. It is erased at the end of the school year. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes premises.

How can the penalty be challenged?

You can challenge the penalty by making a administrative appeal  to the head of school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the penalty by litigation before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

The reprimand is a solemn and written call to order.

Who can take the penalty?

The head of the institution or the disciplinary board (of the institution or department) can punish your child with a reprimand.

How is the sanction taken?

The blame must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for this punishment must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be notified indicating the time limits and the means of appeal.

Is the penalty entered in the child's school record?

Yeah. Yeah. It shall be deleted at the end of the school year following that in which the penalty is imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes premises.

How can the penalty be challenged?

You can challenge the penalty by making a administrative appeal  to the head of school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the penalty by litigation before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

The empowerment measure sanctions your child by involving him/her in educational, cultural, solidarity and training activities.

For example, it could be a meeting with civil protection officers to sanction the triggering of the school alarm.

Who can take the penalty?

The school head or the disciplinary board (of the school or department) can sanction your child with an accountability measure.

How is the sanction taken?

The accountability measure must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for this punishment must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be notified indicating the time limits and the means of appeal.

The penalty may last up to 20 hours. It must take place outside teaching hours, inside or outside the school.

Your child may be given a suspended sentence. The accountability measure can be an alternative to a temporary exclusion.

Is the penalty recorded in your child's school record?

Yeah. Yeah. It shall be deleted at the end of the school year following that in which the penalty is imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes premises.

How can the penalty be challenged?

You can challenge the penalty by making a administrative appeal  to the head of school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the penalty by litigation before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

Who can take the penalty?

The head of the school or the disciplinary board (of the school or department) may temporarily exclude your child from the class.

How is the sanction taken?

Temporary exclusion from the class must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for this punishment must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be notified indicating the time limits and the means of appeal.

Exclusion can last 8 daysworking days maximum.

Your child is taken care of in the institution while he or she is being excluded.

Your child may be given a suspended sentence.

FYI  

a conditional sentence is not carried out. It will only be applied in the event of a further failure to comply with the Regulation.

Is the penalty entered in the child's school record?

Yeah. Yeah. It is deleted at the end of year 2e school year following the year in which the penalty is imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes premises.

How can the penalty be challenged?

You can challenge the penalty by making a administrative appeal  to the head of school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the penalty by litigation before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

Who can take the penalty?

The head of the school or the disciplinary board (of the school or department) may temporarily exclude your child from the school

How is the sanction taken?

Temporary exclusion from establishment must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for this punishment must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be notified indicating the time limits and the means of appeal.

Exclusion may last 8 working days maximum. Your child may be given a suspended sentence.

FYI  

a conditional sentence is not carried out. It will only be applied in the event of a further failure to comply with the Regulation.

Is the penalty entered in the child's school record?

Yeah. Yeah. It is deleted at the end of year 2e school year following the year in which the penalty is imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes premises.

How can the penalty be challenged?

You can challenge the penalty by making a administrative appeal  to the head of school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the penalty by litigation before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

Who can take the penalty?

The Disciplinary Board (of the institution or department) may permanently exclude your child from the institution

How is the sanction taken?

The final exclusion of the establishment must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for this punishment must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be notified indicating the time limits and the means of appeal. The sanction must also be communicated to the mayor of the municipality of your residence.

Your child must be assigned to a new facility.

Your child may be given a suspended sentence.

FYI  

a conditional sentence is not carried out. It will only be applied in the event of a further failure to comply with the Regulation.

Is the penalty entered in the child's school record?

Yeah. Yeah. The entry of the final exclusion in the child's school record cannot be deleted.

How can the penalty be challenged?

You can challenge the penalty by making a administrative appeal  to the head of school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the penalty by litigation before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

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