NEWS POLITICS

Plan to split PRU in two revealed

A massive change of fortunes has been revealed for the Pupil Referral Unit  (PRU) in Powys, with a move to have two separate PRU’s rather than one run from two sites.

3 weeks ago   2 minutes read    534 views

The image for Plan to split PRU in two revealed

Photo: Newtown PRU based at the Old College building (Credit: Google Street View)

Share            Listen to the story

By Elgan Hearn
Local Democracy Reporter


A massive change of fortunes has been revealed for the Pupil Referral Unit  (PRU) in Powys, with a move to have two separate PRU’s rather than one run from two sites.

For most of the year the spectre of closing one site hung over the PRU.


  Other Trending Stories

Budget proposals to close a unit were part of this year’s budget which was agreed last February in a bid to save over £600,000 for the council over two years.

Remodelling the PRUs which are based in Brecon and Newtown was estimated to save the council £325,555 this year and £251,285 next year.

But due to a shakeup of staff in the education department the proposal to close a unit was dropped last month.

At a joint meeting of the Learning and Skill and Health and Care scrutiny committee’s on Wednesday, November 13 councillors and independent lay members were presented with the new draft Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and Inclusion strategic plan.

Amongst plan documents is detail of the change of thinking about the PRU.

The changes also follow a damning report on the PRU by education watchdog Estyn.

They said following their inspection last May that the PRU needed “significant improvement.”

The strategic plan said: “The intention is to de-register the PRU and re-register as two separate entities.

“This means that each individual PRU can create a learning environment specific to the needs of the learners within their community.

“This will enable a management of change process to be carried out to ensure that there is appropriate staffing of both PRUs.”

At the moment the council is renting the unit sites in Newtown and Brecon.

At the meeting inclusion ALN and inclusion service manager Simon Anderson was asked to explain the changes

Mr Anderson told the joint committee that the PRU sites currently has to work in lockstep – but deals with children from very different communities and needs.

Mr Anderson said: “If approval is given for the de-registration, we’re looking to move that forward from January.

“Pupils that Brecon PRU support have very different needs to the ones being supported in Newtown.”

He explained that the needs being dealt with in Brecon were around anxiety and school avoidance while Newtown dealt with behaviour issues.

He added that secondary schools in both areas were also “very different.”

Mr Anderson said: “On a practical note it’s looking at the children that are in front of them, and it allows the schools to make decisions on a specific basis for their needs.”

The report adds that for the time being the PRU’s will remain in their current sites while “further exploration” of alternatives in council owned sites will take place.

PRUs are small specialist schools that deal with children who need greater support than mainstream schools can provide.

Pupils attend PRUs for a range of reasons including exclusion from mainstream school due to behavioural issues, mental health issues and illness.

Comments on the  strategy from the scrutiny committees will be added to the report by the time it goes before the Liberal Democrat/Labour cabinet for a decision at a meeting on Tuesday, November 26.

You've viewed 1 stories so far!

All About Newtown is an independent not-for-profit online news and information service for the town of Newtown in Mid Wales. We provide ad-free content, so rely on reader subscriptions and donations to run.

  Donate via PayPal

Related or similar stories based on this one

Image for the article Newtown based PRU requires 'significant improvement'
Newtown based PRU requires 'significant improvement'

4 months ago

Image for the article Is Newtown's pupil referral unit going to close?
Is Newtown's pupil referral unit going to close?

9 months ago

Image for the article Newtown PRU 'saved' from closure
Newtown PRU 'saved' from closure

2 months ago

Business of the Week
The Beauty Storm

Shortbridge Street

Follow us

Connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Google News

     

Trending
Local restaurant gets food rating increase

2 days ago

Holiday unit plans approved

2 days ago

Councillors to debate farm tax motion

1 day ago

Donate to us

We're a not-for-profit community interest company and have no corporate owners. We'd appreciate anything you can give to keep us providing free content.

  Donate via PayPal
Upcoming Events
Breakfast with Santa

07/12/24 08:30am

Christmas ShareFest

07/12/24 10:00am

Open Mic Night

07/12/24 05:00pm

Latest Stories
Councillors back campaign to devolve crown estate

11 hours ago

Councillors to debate farm tax motion

1 day ago

Holiday unit plans approved

2 days ago