North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to lower the age range of Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), allowing them to provide alternative provision for primary school-aged children who have been excluded from school.
The decision comes in response to a significant rise in permanent exclusions of primary pupils, which have increased from five children in 2021/22 to 25 pupils in 2024/25. The changes aim to improve support and outcomes for these children and help them return to mainstream education.
The council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:
“We always want to ensure that we provide the very best support we can to all pupils in North Yorkshire. There were a significant number of responses to the consultation, and this provides confidence that there is general support to change the age range of our maintained pupil referral units, accommodating children from five to 16. I anticipate that this support will help meet the needs of each child and help them reengage with learning in a supportive environment.”
Earlier this year, the council launched a consultation seeking views from parents, carers, education professionals, and the wider community on lowering the PRU age range. Of the 254 responses received, 79% agreed that primary provision was needed.
The changes will apply to The Rubicon Centre in Selby, The Sunbeck Centre in Northallerton, and The Craven Pupil Referral Service in Skipton, which will now accommodate children as young as five. North Yorkshire Council arranges suitable, usually full-time education for permanently excluded children within six days of exclusion.
