Raising standards, improving lives
Challenging the Gap Conference
Preparing for a successful
future
Christine Gilbert
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector
July 2010
Outstanding PRUs
‘Pupils make outstanding progress because
extremely effective leadership has assured
an excellent ethos for learning, teaching of
the highest quality and an extremely wellthought-out curriculum matched precisely to
pupils’ needs’
Dacorum Education Support Centre
Outstanding PRUs
‘The Service provides an excellent quality of
education for vulnerable pupils. Pupils in
various centres and hospital, or those who
receive home tuition, are given excellent
support so that, wherever possible, they can
quickly return to their school.’
Tuition, Medical and Behaviour Support
Service, Shropshire
Overall Effectiveness %
Grade
1
2
3
4
2008/09
17
52
24
7
2009/10
19
40
29
12
September 09 – March 10
Successful PRUs

High expectations

See no limitations, only
opportunities
Successful PRUs: the curriculum

A personalised curriculum which is
tailored for each pupil

A focus on literacy and numeracy

Continuity with the curriculum in
the pupil’s mainstream school
Successful PRUs: achievement
Value meaningful achievements
Provide purpose and engagement
Enable accreditation and qualifications
Successful PRUs: teaching


High expectations



Effective use of teaching assistants
Detailed planning, which uses
assessment effectively and ensures
a good match to learners’ needs
and progress
Interesting and relevant activities
Effective liaison with mainstream
schools
Signs of ineffectiveness

Ineffective strategies for tackling
low attendance and poor
behaviour

Lack of understanding about the
link between poor learning
opportunities and poor behaviour

Safeguarding concerns
Short stay provision

Being ready for the next step
includes emotional preparation
Successful PRUs: tutorial and pastoral

Is personalised and ongoing

Helps pupils to manage
their lives

Requires staff commitment
Successful PRUs: transition planning

A process, not a single activity

An individualised programme why is the pupil at the PRU?
Successful PRUs: links with parents

Support from parents in helping
learners to meet their own targets

Support for parents at home
Successful PRUs: links with other agencies

The need to plan these links and support
from before the student enters the PRU

Links are focussed on the next steps
before the student leaves

Use links during the students time in the
PRU
Successful PRUs: leadership and
management

An ambitious and shared vision
based on a belief that there is no
limit to achievement and success


A focus on learning

An obsession with progress and
effectiveness
Staff supported to innovate based
on careful tracking and meticulous
evaluation
Successful management committees

Understand their strategic role
and have evaluated the
performance of the PRU

Provide support and challenge

Share successes
Key characteristics of success








Ambitions and shared vision
High expectations, no limitations
A personalised learning programme
A focus on learning, success and improvement
High quality provision
A recognition of the value of qualifications
Transition is thoroughly planned
Rigorous monitoring and evaluating