§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of pupil referral units in(a) improving children's behaviour, (b) enabling children to move back to mainstream schools and (c) raising the level of attainment of excluded children. [165472]
§ Mr. MilibandAccording to OFSTED most pupil referral units (PRUs) are well run. Where this is the case they offer a curriculum that has both breadth and depth which is delivered innovatively, they make a very positive contribution to their pupils' outcomes, including improving their behaviour and attendance.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hours of education per week a child attending a pupil referral unit is required to receive; and what the average number of hours per week received is. [165474]
§ Mr. MilibandA child attending a pupil referral unit (PRU) because he or she has been permanently excluded from school should receive a suitable full time education appropriate to their age and Key Stage. So too, where possible, should pupils subject to fixed term exclusions of 15 days or more. DfEE Circular 11/99 suggests that 20 hours or more constitute appropriate full time education. All local education authorities confirmed that all permanently excluded pupils were in receipt of suitable full time education in September 2002.
48WThe average hours received could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. PRUs also provide a valuable service, with other institutions, for young people. However, the time that pupils spend at the PRU each day will vary according to their needs. Such pupils might include dual registered pupils (i.e. remaining on their school roll and attending the PRU for specific educational modules e.g. additional basic skills tuition or anger management), sick children, respite for children who have been bullied and teenage mothers.