Baroness Blower (Lab) [V]: My Lords, I salute my noble friend Lady
Lawrence on Stephen Lawrence Day. In a statement at its recent
conference, the NEU said that it is a symptom of poverty and racism
that the majority of those in pupil referral units are
working-class and black students. Does the Minister agree that, as
the pandemic has laid bare the extent of racial inequality, to
begin to tackle this in education schools need resources to prevent
exclusions, including smaller classes and...Request free trial
(Lab) [V]: My
Lords, I salute my noble friend Lady Lawrence on Stephen Lawrence
Day. In a statement at its recent conference, the NEU said that it is a symptom of
poverty and racism that the majority of those in pupil referral
units are working-class and black students. Does the Minister agree
that, as the pandemic has laid bare the extent of racial
inequality, to begin to tackle this in education schools need
resources to prevent exclusions, including smaller classes and
engaging a flexible curriculum, and much more investment in
pastoral systems?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for
Education and Department for International Trade ()
(Con): My Lords, the cohort within alternative provision is
incredibly mixed, and only just over 40% of those in such settings
have been permanently excluded from mainstream education. Of those,
70.7% are white British, an overrepresentation, since 65.4% of the
population is white British. However, the noble Baroness is right
that 3% are of black-Caribbean heritage, while they represent only
1% of the population. Also, 3.7% in alternative provision are
Asian, while 11.4% of pupils are of British-Asian heritage. Who is
currently in alternative provision is a complex picture.
(LD): My Lords, PRUs cater for some of the most
disadvantaged, disturbed and sometimes dangerous students. I taught
in one for a while, and it was an unforgettable experience.
The NEU found that there was a 17%
rise in the number of pupils with education, health and care plans
in pupil referral units last year. How are the Government ensuring
that every child with an EHCP is being educated in the most
appropriate setting for them?
(Con): My Lords, there is a very high level of those
with not only EHCP but SEND generally. Around 80% end up in some
form of alternative provision. The AP settings are part of the SEND
review so that they can be considered together. We recognise that
this is often not the most appropriate place for young people to
end up, and we will look at how to change the dynamic that is
operating.
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