Pupil referral unit meaning

A pupil referral unit (PRU) is an alternative provision setting for children of compulsory school age who cannot attend a mainstream or special school, typically because of exclusion, illness or other barriers to regular attendance. In England and Wales, PRUs are established and maintained by local authorities and are provided for in legislation (including the Education Act 1996 and secondary regulations). They fulfil the local authority’s duty to secure “suitable education” for such pupils. Access is usually by referral from the authority or the pupil’s school. PRUs are inspected (Ofsted in England; Estyn in Wales) and overseen by a management committee. Many areas also use alternative provision academies or free schools, which are not PRUs in law but perform similar functions. Special educational needs and disability (SEND) and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) duties, safeguarding, attendance and exclusion frameworks apply. Scotland does not use the PRU model; equivalent arrangements are education other than at school (EOTAS) or off‑site provision organised by the local authority under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Northern Ireland provides alternative education via Education Authority EOTAS centres; the term PRU is not used. Ireland has no PRU system; alternatives are arranged case by case (for example, hospital or...