§ Mr. Derek WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many units there are to deal with excluded pupils aged under 11 in(a) Kent, (b) East Kent education division, (c) Sittingbourne and (d) Sheppey; and if he will make a statement. [85000]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisCurrently, in Kent there is one Dedicated Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) for Key Stage 1 and 2, and five others with provision for Key Stage 1 and 2. These include 1 PRU in East Kent with provision for Key Stages 1 and 2. There are no PRUs with such provision in either Sittingbourne or Sheppey.
The Department is aware of the challenging circumstances in East Kent, and is liaising closely with the Authority to ensure that every excluded child receives an education. Kent has indicated to the Department that every permanently excluded child is currently receiving a suitable, full time education.