3.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, an appeal committee shall meet to consider an exclusion appeal—
(a)within the period ending with the fifteenth school day after the day on which the appeal is lodged; or
(b)if the Governing Body has determined a shorter period, within that period.
(2) The Governing Body may extend the period within which an appeal committee are to consider an exclusion appeal where—
(a)the pupil who is the subject of the appeal (if he is aged eighteen years or over) or his parent (if he is not) requests them to do so; and
(b)they are satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional and justify the period under sub-paragraph (1) above being extended.
(3) In this Appendix, “exclusion appeal” means an appeal against a decision of the Discipline Committee under Article 8(2) not to reinstate a pupil following his permanent exclusion from the School.