Decision details

To consult on a proposal that the Local Authority should lower the age range of Scarborough Pupil Referral Unit from 11-16 to 4-16 from 31 August 2021.

*PLEASE NOTE This decision was originally published on or near the date of the decision and so call in no longer applies. It has been re-published as part of the change in committee management system that we use.*

Local authorities are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils, and for other pupils who – because of illness or other reasons – would not receive suitable education without such provision. Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) are a type of alternative provision which educates pupils who are unable to access mainstream schooling for any of the reasons set out above.

Scarborough Pupil Referral Unit has historically had an age range of 11-16 and it is predominantly pupils within this age range who have required this type of provision. However, there have also been a small number of pupils aged under 11 who have required an alternative provision. For the last year the PRU has temporarily accommodated a number of pupils aged under 11 and it is now the view of officers that this should be formalised as a longer term arrangement until at least such time that the SEND Strategic Plan is fully implemented.
The number of places required is likely to be very low and it is unlikely that the Scarborough PRU would support more than five primary age pupils at any one time.