14 September 2007
Children sent to pupil referral units often face a limited educational curriculum and little chance of being reintegrated back into mainstream schools, Ofsted has found.
A September 14 report by the children's services inspectorate says that a lack of practical support from councils and schools meant that PRUs struggled to find places for pupils. As a result, placements in the unit — particularly those for pupils over 14 — 'seldom had an end date'.
Chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: 'Local authorities and schools need to make sure they assist PRUs in their vital work, for example by providing them with all the information about a pupil's prior attainment and working with them when it comes to reintegrating pupils into mainstream education.'
The curriculum in PRUs was often curtailed because of inadequate accommodation or facilities. Ofsted found that science, physical education, art, music and IT all suffered.
It also warned that the tendency of many schools to pass on only details of pupils' behavioural problems, rather than their educational attainment, could also hamper their future progress.
PFsep2007
