Alternative provision
Education other than school
Alternative Provision is defined as:
'education arranged by local authorities for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; alternative provision can also be used by schools for children on a suspension (fixed period exclusion); and for children being directed by schools to offsite provision to receive education intended to improve their behaviour.' (Arranging alternative provision: A guide for local authorities and schools, 2025)
You can read more about types of alternative provision on Southwak's Local Offer.
Southwark's secondary Pupil Referral Unit is SILS (Southwark Inclusive Learning Service).
A PRU is a type of school for children who are unable to be educated in a mainstream school. Pupils are often referred if they need greater care and support than their school can provide. Pupils may be registered solely with the PRU or be dual registered, attending both their mainstream school and the PRU on a part-time basis. PRUs tend to be staffed by highly qualified and experienced teachers, who have expertise in dealing with SEN (special educational needs), emotional and behavioural difficulties. Southwark's secondary PRU