The educational experiences of children and young people who have attended a pupil referral unit in England: a narrative inquiry

The aim of the study is to explore the narratives of children and young people (CYP), with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, who have attended a pupil referral unit (PRU) to ascertain their perspectives of their educational experiences and positive factors within their lives. The narratives of the CYP were collected through semi-structured, life story interviews. The narratives were analysed using narrative restorying and thematic analysis. The narrative restorying highlighted key events in the CYPs school and personal lives that led to their exclusion, as well as key characters, high points, low points and turning points. Through the thematic analysis, a range of themes were identified, in relation to positive factors outlined in the narratives of the CYP. The main and sub-themes related to personal identity, relationships, education and aspirations. The findings are discussed with relevance to the existing literature on relationships, transitions, identity, meaningful education and aspirations. The findings are relevant to educational psychologists in their work with CYP who attend PRUs or are at risk of attending a PRU