Chris Green MP has urged the government to consider a fairer funding system for Pupil Referral Units during a Commons debate.
The local MP secured the debate on the funding of Pupil Referral Units following a meeting with Bolton Impact Trust, who run two of these schools in his constituency, during which they highlighted concerns about how funding is currently allocated by the Council.
The purpose of Pupil Referral Units’ is to provide support for children who are unable to attend mainstream schools whilst also working to re-integrate children back into mainstream schools in the future.
The current funding system however financially penalises Pupil Referral Units’ who successfully re-integrate their pupils into a mainstream schools whilst also making it difficult to find extra funding from the local authority for those in need of additional support.
Mr Green said: “Pupil Referral Units perform vital work in my constituency and across the country in complimenting mainstream schools, none more so than Youth Challenge and Lever Park School – both of which have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
“During a meeting with Bolton Impact Trust, who run these two schools, I was concerned to hear about the unfairness they face under the current funding system, which makes a Pupil Referral Unit worse off if they achieve successful outcomes for pupils in their care.
“Following this meeting, I secured a debate dedicated to discussing the current unfair funding system Pupil Referral Units face, during which I urged the government to implement a consistent funding system that will better support the vital work of these schools.”