New arrangements for Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) came into effect on 1 April 2026, following a consultation last year with staff, parent carers, local organisations and the wider public.
The changes aim to provide a more consistent and fair offer for children and young people across Somerset. They are also designed to support better joint working and sharing of resources.
Under the new arrangements:
- The PRU in the west of the county will be renamed Willow Vale School. It will cover the areas previously served by Taunton Deane Partnership College and The Bridge School.
- The PRU in the east of the county will keep the name Tor School. It will cover the areas previously served by Tor School and South Somerset Partnership School.
The two behaviour partnerships currently operating in the far west and east of Somerset (Frome Learning Partnership and West Somerset Education and Behaviour Partnership), will close and be fully brought into the new PRU arrangements by 1 September 2026. Work is underway with both partnerships to support a smooth transition.
There will be no immediate changes to:
- funding for PRUs or behaviour partnerships
- the sites that PRUs currently operate from
Children and young people will continue attending their current settings.
Pupil Referral Units provide education for children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream school for a range of reasons.
More information about PRUs and other types of school or alternative provision is available on the Somerset SEND Local Offer: Types of School
