A pupil referral unit (PRU) is a type of school maintained by a local authority in England and Wales, specifically for children and young people who are unable to attend a mainstream or special school. PRUs are classed as alternative provision and are inspected by Ofsted under the same framework as mainstream schools.
Who attends a pupil referral unit?
PRUs serve pupils across a broad range of circumstances. The most common reasons a young person might be placed in a PRU include:
- Permanent exclusion from a mainstream school, where the local authority has a legal duty to provide full-time education within six days
- Medical reasons — for example, a mental health condition, a chronic physical illness, or a period of recovery following surgery that makes mainstream attendance impossible
- Managed moves — where a pupil moves by agreement between schools to avoid formal exclusion, sometimes with a period in a PRU as a stepping stone
- Awaiting a school place — pupils who have moved into an area and are on a waiting list for a mainstream school
PRUs cater for pupils of compulsory school age (5 to 16), though some also accept young people up to 18 in post-16 provision.
How are PRUs different from mainstream schools?
The table below sets out the key differences between a PRU and a mainstream secondary school:
| Feature | Mainstream school | Pupil referral unit |
|---|---|---|
| Pupil numbers | Typically 600–2,000+ | Usually 30–150 |
| Class sizes | 25–32 per class | Often 6–12 per class |
| Governing body | Full governing body | Management committee (local authority representatives) |
| Curriculum | Full national curriculum | Adapted curriculum, tailored to pupil needs |
| GCSE / qualifications | Full GCSE programme | GCSEs and vocational qualifications where appropriate |
| Inspection | Ofsted (Education Inspection Framework) | Ofsted (same framework, separate grading) |
| Admissions | Via local authority or direct | Local authority placement only |
| Usual duration of attendance | 5 or 7 years (secondary) | Short-term (weeks to months) or longer where needed |
The smaller class sizes in PRUs are one of their most significant practical differences. A pupil who has struggled in a busy mainstream classroom may find the reduced environment more manageable.
What does the curriculum look like in a PRU?
PRUs are not required to follow the full national curriculum as mainstream schools are, though they must provide a broad and balanced curriculum that is appropriate to the ages and needs of their pupils. In practice, most PRUs prioritise:
- Core subjects: English and mathematics
- GCSE or Entry Level Certificate (ELC) qualifications for older pupils
- Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)
- Vocational qualifications such as BTECs or City & Guilds awards
- Therapeutic and wellbeing programmes (e.g. restorative practice, mentoring)
The aim, where a placement is short-term, is to maintain academic progress and prepare the pupil to return to mainstream education or transition to a further education college.
How long will my child be in a PRU?
Duration varies considerably. Some placements are short-term — four to six weeks — designed as a reset before reintegration into a mainstream school. Others are longer-term if a pupil's needs mean mainstream is unlikely to be suitable in the near future. If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, the plan's annual review process will shape decisions about when and whether to transition to another setting.
Your child's home local authority holds the duty to find a suitable school place and to fund the PRU placement in the interim. If you disagree with a placement or believe your child's needs would be better met elsewhere, you have a right to request a review of the decision. For EHC Plan disputes, the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal is the formal appeal route.
How is a PRU inspected and held accountable?
Ofsted inspects PRUs under the same Education Inspection Framework used for mainstream schools, looking at the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. PRU inspection reports are publicly available on the Ofsted website and use the same four-point grading scale: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate.
Local authorities are also inspected on their broader alternative provision arrangements. A PRU rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted provides a reasonable baseline of assurance about quality, though parents should also visit in person and speak to the head of centre before their child starts.
Can my child still sit GCSEs at a PRU?
Yes. Many PRUs enter pupils for GCSEs, particularly in English Language, Mathematics, and vocational equivalents. Some PRUs have examination centre status and can host pupils for their own exams; others transport pupils to a partner mainstream school on examination days. If your child is approaching Year 10 or 11, ask the PRU's head of centre specifically which qualifications they offer and with which awarding bodies they are registered.
What happens when a PRU placement ends?
The goal for most short-term PRU placements is reintegration into a mainstream school or transition to another appropriate setting (such as a further education college or specialist alternative provision). Local authorities are required to keep a review of the placement and to involve parents in that review. Pupils with EHC Plans will have their plans reviewed formally at least annually; changes to the named provision require local authority agreement and can be challenged via the SEND Tribunal.
Frequently asked questions
Will a PRU placement appear on my child's school record?
A PRU is a state school, and like any school it maintains an educational record for each pupil. Attendance registers, assessments, and reports will be part of that record. If your child later moves to a mainstream school, the new school will request records from previous settings, including the PRU. However, a PRU placement does not carry a formal "mark" that prevents admission to mainstream schools or sixth forms — admissions decisions are governed by each school's published admissions criteria.
Does a permanent exclusion mean my child has to go to a PRU?
Not necessarily. When a permanent exclusion is issued, the local authority is legally required to arrange suitable full-time education from the sixth day onwards. A PRU is one option, but the local authority might also arrange a place in another mainstream school, a special school, a free school, or a registered alternative provider. Parents can engage with the independent review panel process if they wish to challenge the exclusion itself.
Are PRUs only for secondary-age pupils?
No. While PRUs are perhaps most associated with Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), they serve pupils from primary age upwards. Some local authorities run separate units for primary-aged children; others have combined settings. The provision offered will be tailored to the age and needs of the child.
How can I find out which PRU serves my area?
Contact your local authority's inclusion or alternative provision team — typically found under the children's services or education department on the council website. They hold the register of commissioned alternative provision in the area and can tell you which unit would be relevant for your child's age group and circumstances.
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