Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many alternative education providers are registered in England; and how many (1) permanently excluded, and (2) other excluded pupils are in such provision.

A number of types of institution can be commissioned to provide Alternative Provision (AP), including independent schools and unregistered providers. The department does not hold data on all providers, and therefore does not hold the total number of such providers.

In January 2018 there were 352 Pupil Referral Units, AP academies, and AP free schools in England.

Further information on AP providers can be obtained from the department’s register of schools and colleges in England ‘Get information about schools’ which can be accessed using the online tool available here: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/.

The department does not hold information on whether pupils were previously excluded before joining their current school or provider.