Pupil Referral Units vs Alternative Provision
A clear guide for schools and parents on the legal and practical differences between PRUs and independent Alternative Provision in England.
Understanding your options
If a young person is struggling in mainstream school, you will quickly encounter two terms: Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and Alternative Provision (AP). They are related, but they are not the same thing.
This guide explains the difference between a PRU and an independent Alternative Provision provider like Directional CIC. It covers legal status, who makes the decision, what the placement looks like, and why one option may suit a particular pupil better than the other.
What is a Pupil Referral Unit?
A Pupil Referral Unit is a type of school established and maintained by a local authority. PRUs provide education for children who are not able to attend a mainstream or special school. This includes pupils who have been permanently excluded, who are ill, or who have other reasons that make mainstream attendance impossible.
PRUs are registered with the Department for Education and are inspected by Ofsted. They follow the national curriculum where appropriate and are staffed by qualified teachers. A PRU may cater for primary or secondary pupils, or both, and some specialise in particular needs such as social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH).
Because PRUs are local authority settings, the decision to place a pupil in one is usually made by the local authority. The school can refer a pupil, but the final placement decision rests with the authority.
What is Alternative Provision?
Alternative Provision is an umbrella term for any education arranged by a local authority or school for a pupil who would not otherwise receive suitable education. It includes PRUs, but it also covers a much wider range of settings: independent providers, online schools, vocational programmes, and hybrid models that mix centre-based and outreach support.
Independent Alternative Provision providers are not maintained by the local authority. They are commissioned directly by schools or local authorities, usually on a placement-by-placement basis. They are not registered schools unless they choose to register, and they are not inspected by Ofsted in the same way as PRUs — although good providers carry out their own quality assurance and share this with commissioners.
The key advantage of independent AP is flexibility. Providers can tailor their approach to the individual pupil, work part-time, and maintain close contact with the referring school. This makes independent AP particularly effective as early intervention — before a pupil reaches the point of permanent exclusion.
Key differences at a glance
Legal status
PRUs are state-maintained schools regulated by the DfE and inspected by Ofsted. Independent AP providers are commissioned services, not maintained schools, and are subject to different oversight arrangements.
Who decides the placement
PRU placements are usually decided by the local authority. Independent AP placements can be commissioned directly by a school or named in an EHCP by the local authority.
Timetable and flexibility
PRUs generally operate full-time with a fixed timetable. Independent AP often offers part-time or graduated placements that build up as the pupil settles.
Timing of intervention
PRUs are often used after permanent exclusion or when a placement has already broken down. Independent AP can be used earlier — as preventative support to keep a pupil on a positive pathway.
Curriculum and approach
PRUs follow the national curriculum where possible. Independent AP can offer more bespoke programmes, including vocational, therapeutic, and pastoral elements tailored to the pupil's needs.
Relationship with school
In a PRU, the local authority typically manages communication. In independent AP, the provider usually works in close partnership with the referring school and family from day one.
When to choose a PRU or independent AP
Assess the pupil's needs
Consider whether the pupil needs full-time structured provision, or whether a part-time, graduated placement would be more appropriate. Pupils with high anxiety or long-term absence often benefit from the flexibility of independent AP.
Check local authority processes
Some local authorities have a formal panel process for PRU placement. Others allow schools to commission independent AP directly. Understanding your local process will shape what is possible.
Consider timing
If the pupil is at risk of exclusion but has not yet been permanently excluded, independent AP can act as early intervention. If the pupil has already been permanently excluded, a PRU may be the default local authority route.
Evaluate providers
Whether you are looking at a PRU or independent AP, ask about safeguarding policies, staff qualifications, reporting arrangements, and evidence of outcomes. Visit the setting if possible, and involve the family in the decision.
Plan for review
All placements should be reviewed regularly — at least half-termly. The goal is not simply to remove the pupil from mainstream school, but to find a placement where they can re-engage with learning and, where possible, plan for a positive transition or reintegration.
How Directional CIC fits in
Directional CIC is an independent Alternative Provision provider, not a Pupil Referral Unit. We are a teacher-led Community Interest Company based in Bedfordshire, working with schools and local authorities across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
We provide structured, flexible placements for secondary-age pupils who are at risk of exclusion, persistently absent, or disengaged from mainstream education. Our model is built on early intervention: we work with schools to reach pupils before they reach crisis point.
We are not a replacement for a PRU, but we are a genuine alternative. Schools commission us directly, or we are named in an EHCP by the local authority. We offer part-time placements that build up over time, close partnership with referring schools, and half-termly progress reports that can be used for reviews and governor meetings.
What schools and families can expect from us
- Flexible part-time placements that grow as the pupil settles
- Direct commissioning by schools or local authority placement
- Half-termly progress reports for reviews and governor meetings
- Safeguarding policies and DBS-checked staff, shared upfront
- Clear transition planning for reintegration or post-16 moves
- Local knowledge of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire
Talk to us about Alternative Provision
If you are considering Alternative Provision for a pupil and want to understand how an independent provider differs from a PRU, we are happy to talk it through. No obligation, no jargon — just straightforward advice.
Or read more about our Alternative Provision programme and how AP works with EHCPs.