Being sent to pupil referral unit

[messybedhead]

My friend's daughter's school has requested a meeting about putting her into the local pupil referral unit.

Nothing is in writing, and her parents are not happy about this decision.

We do not know how to fight this; does she have to go there if that is what the school suggests?

Are there any procedures that need to be followed or any school policies we can request that will explain this further?

Thanks.

Sorry just to add,

she has already been excluded twice.

Does this mean that realistically no other school will accept her?

ANyone?

If she's already been excluded twice, your friend would do well to support the school and agree to a short period in the referral unit. That way, she's more likely to get another chance. If your friend refuses and the girl commits another excludable 'offence' the school may be more likely to escalate a permanent exclusion, if they feel parents have not been supportive in the past.

you need tethersend - she works in a PRU.

I think that some students end up being really grateful they went to the pru as it is more supportive and tailed to their needs. It doesn't have to be a bad thing. If she has already been excluded twice then the school is not meeting her needs, why fight to keep her there?

Her parents are not really sure what the school are suggesting, and don't really know anything about PRUs.

I think they want to move her to a closer school, but are worried that she'll be forced to go the referral unit.

They have been supportive and have always attended meetings with the school, but they don't necessarily agree with how bad their daughter's behaviour is... and its not my place to judge really.

Thanks for your advice.

referral units are usually temporary - could be a breathing space for her

I think that's what they are worried about... the stereotypical idea of children from a PRU.

It really does depend if it's a long-term alternative education thing, or a short term 'shock' thing. Your friend needs to find out which is being proposed because they are very different.

Surely the label of exclusion is worse?

Really that's good.

I think sometimes schools can try their hardest but if at home the child is hearing from their parents that they are right and the school is wrong- then it's not really going to work.

Her parents are telling her that the school are picking on her and so I don't really know what's going to happen with her. It's sad.

For some people exclusion isn't seen as "that bad".

I agree with you but a lot of parents don't.

I have experience of PRU.

The feral urchin was excluded twice in the years after his Mum's death. I fought it, but he ended up in a good PRU.

I'll name it.

Cotswold Education Centre, Mangotsfield.

They deserve credit.

6 pupils in his group. And yes, most of them came from the socio-ecomomic group that stereotype would suggest. But MOST were very sweet kids who had had a bum deal.

The teaching was high quality, dedicated, firm but kind. And the Feral Urchin began to learn.

Then we moved, and were offered an equivalent provision in a different LEA. It was AWFUL.

I'll name it

The Link. Bath.

All the things that were good about the previous PRU were not present. Firm, kind, professional dedication? Nah.

So we refused. And (after a lot of jiggery-pokery)he went to a lovely village primary to finish year 6.

He is close to finishing his first month at a (very highly rated) secondary. He is flying (with the aid of a fully funded statement). I am hugely proud of him, and enormously grateful to the work of both the PRU, and the small C of E village primary.

The lesson?

Don't just blankly refuse. Go and see the provision. It COULD be the best thing. And you DO have a choice. If the local unit is poor, look at others in neighbouring authorities.

Good luck.

Brilliant post Retired Goth - and v good to see a fellow Weddoes fan still knocking around on here!

I know I know I'm trying to find out for her and give her as much information as I can.

Thanks for all your help.

what's weddoes?

It is, ultimately, better for the child to succeed in a good PRU, than to consistently be seen as 'bad', a 'failure' in mainstream.

The Feral Urchin suddenly found himself as the star when he went to PRU. Fragile self esteem benefits from this.

And yes. PRU is temporary. You have to be registered at a mainstream school to attend though it is possible that after a period of assessment the child may receive a permanent EBD placement.

(shudder. 0.5% of such kids get 5 GCSEs...)

The Wedding Present - indie band with hairy-kneed Dave Gedge as lead singer.

Sorry Op!

The Weddoes (Wedding Present) are a popular beat combo of 1980s vintage, Cornsilk!

messy, pru's cost the school a huge amount of money, as well as counting against them in the league tables so they are unlikley to suggest it unless your friend's dds behaviour is really poor. It really might be the catalyst that turns her around, so don't discount it just because it's a pru.

I have run projects in PRUs and found them very helpful with children who are just not managing to fit in in bigger schools. If she is offered one which is small, where students are able to get more individual attention, with pastoral support etc, it could be great. They aim to support pupils: being sent to one isn't primarily a punishment.

I'm pleased your urchin is doing well, RetiredGoth.

Retired Goth - I remember the name but can't remember any songs.

hum an online tune and I'll try to remember

As cornsilk says, most PRUs are now called 'short stay schools', and are (supposed to be) there as a temporary measure with the aim being reintegration into a mainstream school. However, this is not always the case, so be sure to ask the PRU how it supports children in returning to mainstream.

You say your friend's DD has had two exclusions- do you know what these were for and how long they were? Other mainstream schools would not necessarily refuse a place to a child on the number of exclusions, but rather on the severity of the incidents IYSWIM.

It sounds as if they are trying to organise a managed move (also good article here) and it is best practice to do this with parental consent.

Your friend needs to ask her DD's school for a list of all strategies and interventions put in place to support her with her behavioural difficulties since she started at the school. The school need to show that they have exhausted all their resources, and that moving on is the only option.

If moving to the PRU looks likely, then a visit should be arranged for your friend, which may allay some fears. It may not, but a visit is a necessity IMO.