Permanent exclusion is the most severe sanction a school can impose on a child and the number of permanently excluded children is rising. Based on systematic observation of exclusion appeal panel hearings.Challenges to School Exclusion offers a unique insight into the appeal process. It focuses on: *mechanisms by which parents and children can challenge permanent exclusion *the law and current practice *the social context of exclusion *reforms of the appeal system made by the School Standards and Framework Act *the DfEEs latest guidance on pupil inclusion. Challenges to School Exclusion is the first study to examine permanent exclusion. The findings reveal serious deficiencies in the appeal system, including a frequent failure to deal fairly with excluded children. The text will be of particular interest to head teachers, local education authorities, school governors, education lawyers and education charities.