To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to increase the number of spaces available in pupil referral units.
Answered on
5 November 2019
Pupil Referral Units form part of the Alternative Provision (AP) education sector and are maintained by local authorities. All local authorities have a duty under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 to provide suitable education and sufficient places for children of compulsory school age who cannot attend school. As at October 2019, there are 209 Pupil Referral Units in England, along with 95 AP Academies and 47 AP Free Schools, with a further 7 AP Free Schools planned to open over the next three years.
The department is currently looking closely at what is needed to ensure the sector has the capacity and capability to provide high quality education and support to all children and young people in alternative provision.