15 yr old permanently excluded from school.

[caringdad66]

Looking for advice guys.
Been told it will be 6 weeks before the local authority can place him in another mainstream school.
Therefore for the next 6 weeks they want him to attend our local Pupil referral unit.
Am very wary of sending him here, due to its poor reputation.

Are these places ' schools of crime', or will he be better of going for 6 weeks whilst he awaits his new school placement?

Just to add , he was permanently excluded for assualting another student, who is thankfully not hurt or injured, but didn't deserve what my son did.

I would appeal the exclusion if his behaviour record was previously squeaky clean.

Otherwise then I would probably home school for 6 weeks.

PRUs can be a lifeline for youngsters that are struggling. They offer a more accessible and acceptable education for lots of difficult children. They provide a more tolerant and supportive environment for those struggling at school. Let him try it.

It hasn't been agreed by governors yet- I'm assuming they will back the head though

No necessarily. Fight it as hard as you can - you're his only advocate

Dh used to be a governor. I'll ask him later what he'd expect to see in an appeal

Many thanks to all contributors.
My son is many things but he is not yet a burglar/thief/ or drug dealer.
The PRU in our town contains a MINORITY who may draw him in, ( given his propensity to be easily led).

I know lots of kids in PRUs and none of them are drug dealers, thieves or burglars, plenty of decent kids (although all who've had a pretty traumatic past).

I have been an LA advisor to governing bodies on appeals and also, later on, a governor. If your DS has genuinely only done this the once, then you should go to the meeting and advocate for your DS. The meeting has to follow the rules of natural justice and you will be given the case of the school prior to the meeting. Not doing homework or not wearing the correct uniform should not be included nor a catalogue of small insignificant incidents that have no bearing on the final serious incident for which he has been excluded.

Your best area of challenge is severity of punishment for a first offence, that no other avenues of support were considered or offered prior to PE, and that he is very ashamed of his reaction and will possibly suffer greatly regarding his educational attainment. When you get the case made by the school, go through it very carefully and check they have followed the rules. I think there was a link above. PR4bridge is more up to date than me and I am sure would help.

In fact getting rid of a child is the easy cheap option. It takes a lot more time and effort and money to keep them. PE is passing the problem to the pru and then another school.

I have to say, if it was a one off, given the circumstances I actually think that his 'victim' had it coming. What an absolutely horrid thing to do. I can't offer any words of wisdom, but I really wish him and you all the best. Hopefully he can put this behind him and move on. I would keep him home until he was offered a suitable place.

A great hell-bent thankyou

A great help - thank you *

I think if it really is a one off incident and your son is motivated I’d be tempted down the inter high or similar route if you can afford it rather than go to the PRU .

What's an inter high?

Internet schooling , there’s quite a few around , it’s quite popular for home educators doing GCSEs

Will research this- many thanks

I think there is an Interhigh thread on here somewhere if that helps .