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Labour analysis of the Department for Education’s
statistics show that the number primary school child in Pupil
Referral Units has more than doubled since 2011.
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In 2011, 715 five to ten year olds were in Pupil
Referral Units, but by 2018 this had more than doubled to
1,572.
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The analysis also found that in 2018 there were 42
under 5s currently being taught in Pupil Referral Units,
compared to just five in 2011. Of these 42 children, 28 were
aged 2 or younger.
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The analysis also found that the number of children
placed into local authority alternative provision had
increased by over 1,000.
Commenting on the analysis, Shadow Education
Secretary said:
“It is deeply concerning to see such a vast increase in the
number of very young children being taught in Pupil Referral
Units.
“For too long, the Tories have sat by idly as some of the
most vulnerable young people in our country are falling between
the gaps and even out of education altogether.
“Through our National Education Service, Labour will reform
the accountability system and give schools the resources they
need to support all pupils.”
Notes to editors
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Statistics from the Department for Education show that
the number of children aged between 5 – 10 being placed in
pupil referral units has more than doubled since
2011.
Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January
2018
Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January
2018
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The same data set also shows the number of 5 – 10 year
olds being placed into Local Authority alternative provision
has increased by 1,000.
Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January
2018
Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January
2018
The number of under 5s in Pupil Referral Units has
increased eightfold since 2011.
Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January
2018
Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January
2018
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In 2018, there were 28 children aged 2 or under in
PRUs.
Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January
2018
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Exclusion at any age significantly impacts on a young
person’s ability to attain basic levels of qualification.
According to a longitudinal 2010 Youth Cohort
Study:
“nearly 9 in 10 (87 per cent) young people who had
never been excluded from school had achieved their level 2
qualification by the age of 20 (DfE 2011). By contrast, only 3
in 10 (30 per cent) excluded young people had achieved these
qualifications by the same age.”
Making the Difference, IPPR
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Figures show just one per cent of permanently
excluded children go on to achieve five good GCSEs.
Making the Difference, IPPR
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The majority of UK prisoners were excluded from
school. A longitudinal study of prisoners found that 63 per
cent of prisoners reported being temporarily excluded when
at school. Forty-two per cent had been permanently
excluded, and these excluded prisoners were more likely to
be repeat offenders than other prisoners.
Making the Difference, IPPR
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According to research undertaken for IPPR, 55 per
cent of 5–10-year-olds in Pupil Referral Units are eligible
for free school meals compared to 14 per cent of the pupil
population at large.
Making the Difference, IPPR
