A managed move is an informal arrangement in which a pupil transfers from one school to another, usually as an alternative to permanent exclusion. Unlike a formal exclusion, it does not appear on the pupil's school record. Parents should understand what they are agreeing to before consenting.
Why do managed moves happen?
Managed moves are not a formal legal mechanism — they are not defined in the Education Act, and schools have no statutory duty to offer them. They have instead developed as a practical arrangement, often co-ordinated by the local authority (LA), to give a pupil who is at serious risk of permanent exclusion a fresh start at a different school without the lasting stigma of an exclusion on record.
Common circumstances in which a managed move might be proposed:
- A pupil has had several fixed-period exclusions and another serious incident has occurred
- There has been a significant breakdown in the relationship between the pupil and staff at the school
- A pupil and another pupil are involved in a conflict serious enough that remaining in the same school is unsafe for one of them
- A pupil themselves wants to move but the family has not been successful in securing an in-year transfer through normal admissions
Who must agree to a managed move?
A managed move requires the agreement of all parties. This is an important protection for parents: a managed move should never feel forced.
The three parties who must agree are:
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| Current school's headteacher | Agrees to release the pupil from their roll |
| Receiving school's headteacher | Agrees to admit the pupil on a trial basis |
| Parent or carer | Gives informed consent — this is essential and must be genuinely voluntary |
The pupil's own views should also be taken into account, particularly for older pupils. The local authority often facilitates the discussion between the two schools and may have a co-ordinated managed move protocol setting out how cases should be handled in the area.
How does the managed move process work in practice?
A typical managed move follows these stages:
1. A meeting is arranged — usually involving the headteacher (or exclusions lead), the parent, the pupil, and a representative from the local authority's pupil placement team.
2. The arrangement is explained and agreed — the trial period (often four to six weeks), the receiving school, and the support that will be put in place are discussed. The parent is asked to agree in writing.
3. The pupil transfers to the receiving school — they are removed from the roll at the original school and placed on the roll at the receiving school. This is a full move during the trial, not a dual registration.
4. The trial is reviewed — at the end of the agreed period, a review takes place. If the pupil has settled well, the move becomes permanent. If difficulties persist, the receiving school may choose not to retain the pupil — in which case the LA must find an alternative placement.
What are the risks and safeguards for parents?
The managed move process has been criticised for its potential to be used as a form of pressure, essentially pushing parents to agree to a move under the threat of permanent exclusion. The DfE guidance on exclusions makes clear that schools must not use managed moves as a way of removing pupils from the roll to improve performance data — a practice known as "off-rolling."
Parents should be aware of the following rights:
- You do not have to agree. If you do not consent to a managed move, the school must go through the formal exclusion process if it wishes to remove your child — which gives you the right to appeal to an independent exclusion review panel.
- You can ask for a copy of any managed move agreement in writing before signing it.
- Your child's previous school cannot require you to remove them informally — this is off-rolling and is unlawful.
- The receiving school must be a suitable placement — the LA is responsible for ensuring any school to which a pupil is managed-moved is appropriate for the pupil's needs.
How does a managed move affect a pupil's school record?
Because a managed move is informal, no exclusion is recorded on the pupil's record. The pupil's school history will show the start date at the new school, just as it would for any in-year transfer. In theory, this means the managed move leaves no formal mark on the record. In practice, if a pupil later applies to sixth form or university and a reference is requested, the receiving school may explain the circumstances — though this is subject to their reference policy.
The absence of an exclusion record can be genuinely beneficial for a pupil who experienced a serious difficulty at one school but has thrived at a different one. For some families, this is the managed move's clearest advantage.
Frequently asked questions
Can a school insist on a managed move to avoid an exclusion?
No. A school cannot compel a parent to agree to a managed move. If you are told "agree to a managed move or your child will be permanently excluded," you have the right to say no and to let the exclusion process run — which entitles you to an exclusion review panel hearing. Parents who feel they were coerced into agreeing to a managed move can raise this with the local authority's inclusion team or seek independent advice from a charity such as the National Education Union's legal service or a SEND specialist solicitor.
What happens if the managed move trial fails?
If the receiving school decides not to retain the pupil permanently after the trial period, the local authority must arrange alternative education. This might mean another school place, temporary placement in a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), or alternative provision while a longer-term solution is arranged. The pupil should not be left without provision — the local authority has a duty to ensure suitable education is available.
Does a managed move affect a pupil's GCSE entry?
Moving schools during Year 10 or Year 11 can create complications with GCSE entry, particularly for practical subjects with coursework or controlled assessment components that differ between schools, or for subjects the new school does not offer. Discuss the GCSE implications explicitly with both the current school and the receiving school before agreeing to any managed move in Years 10 or 11.
Is a managed move the same as a voluntary transfer?
Not exactly. A voluntary transfer is simply a family choosing to move their child to a different school through the normal in-year admissions process, with no school pressure involved. A managed move typically happens because the current school has indicated that the pupil's continued presence is problematic — it carries an element of pressure that a straightforward parental request for a school transfer does not.
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