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Views sought on education arrangements for excluded primary pupils

Tuesday, 23 September 2025 11:20

Pupil Referral Unit in Selby, The Rubicon Centre.

North Yorkshire Council has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to how primary-aged children who have been permanently excluded from school may be taught in the future.

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the number of primary age children that have been excluded from schools in North Yorkshire.

The consultation seeks views from parents, carers, education professionals and the wider community on potential new approaches that aim to improve support and outcomes for the excluded children.

North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“We want to ensure that we provide the very best support we can to all pupils in North Yorkshire, and we are keen to glean the views of as many people as possible.

“We have seen increasing numbers of primary aged children who have been excluded from school, so we are having to look carefully at potential new approaches.”

The proposal being consulted on is to extend the age range of already existing pupil referral units and academy alternative provision that they can cater for children of primary age.

This proposal would offer small class sizes and tailored support to meet the needs of each child and help them re-engage with learning in a supportive environment.

Cllr Les added:

“Councils have legal duties to arrange suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils within six days of their exclusion.

“I would encourage parents, carers and schools to share their feedback and help shape the future of alternative education provision in the county.”

The consultation will run from now until Sunday, November 9.

You can complete the online survey, request a paper copy, or attend a focus group session:

9 October 1pm to 2 pm – Parent session
9 October 4.30pm to 5.30 pm – Professional session
16 October 6pm to 7 pm – Parent session
16 October 2pm to 3 pm – Professional session

The survey should not take longer than five minutes to complete and is available at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/appe

Paper copies can be requested by e-mailing BusinessSupport@northyorks.gov.uk

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