Pupil Referral Units 2025-04-28

2025-04-28

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Josh Newbury Lab
Cannock Chase
Context
Chaselea alternative provision academy in Cannock has received £8,300 less per pupil than the average PRU due to an unfair funding formula. The school had to stop off-site education and halt new admissions, affecting young people's ability to return to mainstream education.
I recently visited Chaselea alternative provision academy in Cannock and met headteacher Mr Archer who told me that it receives £8,300 less per pupil than the average for PRUs due to an unfair funding formula. With year after year of real-terms funding cuts under the previous Government, Chaselea had to stop all off-site education and halt new admissions, which means longer stays for students. Will the Minister confirm that this Government will ensure that PRUs have the resources and support they need to do the vital work of helping young people return to mainstream education?
I agree that it is important that funding is available to support young people back into mainstream education. Staffordshire county council is being allocated, through the high needs funding block, over £143 million of its 2025-26 dedicated schools grant, and will need to consider how best to deploy that funding to achieve this aim.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly confirm that the Government would ensure PRUs have adequate resources and support for young people returning to mainstream education.
Will Need To Consider How Best To Deploy
Response accuracy