Definition
A Pupil Referral Unit is a type of alternative provision school for pupils who cannot attend a mainstream or special school, most commonly following permanent exclusion, medical need, or significant behavioural difficulties. PRUs are registered schools (Education Act 1996 section 19, schedule) and inspected by OFSTED.
In context for parents
Key checkpoints
- A PRU is a registered school for pupils unable to attend mainstream or special school.
- Around 350 PRUs in England; inspected by OFSTED.
- LA duty to arrange full-time suitable education under Education Act 1996, section 19.
- Timpson Review (2019) found 78% of permanently excluded pupils have SEND. PRU referral is often the moment to request an EHC needs assessment.
- For a child with an EHCP in a PRU, the LA's section 42 duty to arrange Section F provision continues.
PRUs are funded and commissioned by the LA. There are around 350 PRUs in England, varying widely in quality, size, and ethos. The strongest PRUs deliver intensive, small-group, trauma-informed education with strong reintegration pathways back to mainstream. The weakest function as warehousing for excluded pupils with little curriculum access and limited pathways out.
In a typical PRU, class sizes are 6–8 pupils, with high adult-to-pupil ratios, a behavioural specialism, and a focus on re-engagement with learning. The curriculum is usually narrower than mainstream (core subjects, plus vocational where relevant). Many pupils stay for one or two terms with reintegration to mainstream as the goal; others stay for the rest of compulsory schooling.
For a child with SEND who has been excluded, the PRU referral is often the moment when underlying SEND becomes visible. The Timpson Review (2019) found that 78% of permanently excluded pupils have SEND, and many have undiagnosed autism, ADHD, FASD, or trauma. A PRU placement is the moment to request an EHC needs assessment if one is not already in place. The AP referral itself is strong evidence that mainstream is no longer meeting need.
The LA must arrange suitable full-time education in a PRU (section 19 Education Act 1996). "Full-time" means equivalent hours to mainstream, not a reduced timetable as standard. Reduced timetables in PRU are widespread and frequently unlawful where they continue beyond a short reintegration phase.
For a child with an EHCP in a PRU, the EHCP duties continue. Section F provision must be arranged in the PRU, and the LA should consider whether the PRU is named in Section I or whether a specialist placement is more appropriate.
Related terms
The terms parents most often see alongside Pupil Referral Unit.
Alternative Provision(AP)
Education arranged by the local authority or school for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness, or other reasons, cannot attend mainstream school. Includes PRUs and AP academies.
Permanent Exclusion
The headteacher's decision to permanently remove a pupil from a school. Parents have rights to a governors' review and, where disability is a factor, the SEND Tribunal or independent review panel.
Suspension
A time-limited removal of a pupil from school, formerly called a fixed-term exclusion. Parents have a right to make written representations to the governing board.
Where parents ask about this
Parents usually find this page after an exclusion has triggered a PRU referral, or when a child is six months into a PRU with no reintegration plan. Searches include "PRU placement child rights", "section 19 PRU full-time", and "PRU EHC needs assessment". A Beaakon advocate can review the PRU placement, request an EHC needs assessment where the SEND picture warrants it, and challenge under-provision under section 19 if the placement is not full-time and suitable.
References
The primary legislation, statutory guidance, research, and clinical tools this page draws on.