What is a pupil referral unit?

A PRU is a local authority maintained establishment that provides education for pupils of compulsory school age who would not otherwise receive suitable education. Pupils may attend full-time or part-time, for a short period or longer, and some are dual registered with their home school while they attend. Many PRUs aim to help pupils return to mainstream school or move on to college, training or work.

PRUs must keep attendance and admission registers, complete official data returns and are inspected like other schools. Some staff and parents still use the older name “short stay school”.

England and Wales

In England, many PRUs have converted into alternative provision academies or free schools, which are run by academy trusts rather than the local authority. PRUs in England are covered by Keeping children safe in education and inspected by Ofsted. In Wales, PRUs are still run by local authorities, form part of education other than at school (EOTAS), and are inspected by Estyn.

Why it matters for your setting

• If you are a smaller provider, PRUs may commission you to deliver part of a pupil’s timetable, so they will want reliable attendance information.
• If you work alongside a PRU, you share responsibility for knowing where each pupil is during each session.
• Clear records of needs, medical information and contacts help pupils move safely between settings.

How PupilDB helps

PupilDB builds registers from your multi-centre timetable, records absence reasons and notes, and emails reminders when a register has not been completed. Placements track each pupil’s targets and reviews, and where they go next, including whether they return to their school.