The county’s Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) have been consolidated.
The new operational arrangements came into effect this month (1 April 2026), following a statutory consultation last year with staff, parents, carers, local organisations and the wider public.
The changes are designed to deliver a more consistent, equitable and high‑quality offer for children and young people across Somerset, while supporting closer collaboration and the sharing of resources.
Under the new structure, the PRU in the west of the county will be renamed Willow Vale School. It will serve the areas previously covered by Taunton Deane Partnership College and The Bridge School.
The PRU in the east of the county will retain the name Tor School. It will serve the areas previously covered by Tor School and South Somerset Partnership School.
In addition, the two behaviour partnerships currently operating in the far east and west of Somerset — Frome Learning Partnership and West Somerset Education and Behaviour Partnership — will be dissolved and fully integrated into the new PRU arrangements by 1 September 2026. Detailed work is underway with both partnerships to ensure a smooth transition.
There will be no immediate changes to funding for the PRUs or behaviour partnerships as a result of the reorganisation. There will also be no changes to the sites that PRUs currently operate from.
Cllr Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families and Education at Somerset Council, said: “This reorganisation is about making sure every child and young person who needs alternative provision in Somerset receives consistent, high‑quality support, wherever they live.
“By bringing our Pupil Referral Units together we can strengthen collaboration, share expertise and resources more effectively, and create a fairer system across the county.
“Most importantly, there will be no immediate changes to funding or existing sites. Children will continue to go to the PRUs and schools they are attending now. Please be assured we are working closely with schools and partners to ensure the transition is smooth and well‑managed.”
Pupil Referral Units provide education for children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream school for a range of reasons.
At a meeting of Somerset Council’s Executive (5 Nov 2025), Lead Members agreed to consolidate the management of the county’s 4 existing PRUs to ensure a streamlined governance, and standardised approach. Full details can be found via the Executive’s Decision Report.
The new PRU arrangements take effect from 1 April 2026, with behaviour partnerships integrated by 1 September 2026. The reorganisation follows a statutory consultation process carried out between July and September 2025.
For more information, please contact the Press Office on 01823 355020 or email pressoffice@somerset.gov.uk.
