Neyland Referral Unit proposal rejected after 'pupil dumping ground' fears (From Milford Mercury)

Neyland Referral Unit proposal rejected after 'pupil dumping ground' fears

11:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in News

A proposal by a county councillor to make the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) "an educational establishment in its own right" was not adopted by cabinet members at a meeting on Monday (February 4th).

A notice of motion from Tenby South County Councillor Michael Llewellyn Evans stated: "That this council resolves that the Pupil Referral Unit become an educational establishment in its own right, with students taking a raft of qualifications best suited to their needs that will enable them to become independent learners and more confident future citizens."

Cabinet members approved a recommendation by the director of children and schools not to adopt the notice of motion, but to note the review of PRU organisation.

Cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services Huw George said: "There's a bit of all of us, as governors, to say this could be of benefit, but putting the needs of secondary schools first, to the detriment of the individual child, would not be to the benefit of Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader Jamie Adams said: "This is about not using the PRU as a dumping ground and not writing off pupils.

"It's about ensuring that behavioural issues are treated and that pupils are therefore in a position to rejoin their peers in designated secondary schools.

"We need to ensure that we do not become a part of the problem and do not take this easy option and say 'Okay, we have failed these children'.

"We should not lose hope because their hope is in our hands and it's important that we provide the best opportunity for them.

"This notice of motion would prescribe what happens to those pupils and that would not be fair."