Motivational patterns in disaffected school students: insights from pupil referral unit clients

This recently completed small-scale study investigated perceptions of the c ircumstances of pupils registered with Pupil Referral Units. Questionnaires were administered to all pupils registered, covering a range of perception s of their current circumstances, history and prospects. The questionnaire also contained scales from the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Survey, enabli ng assessments of pupil motivation. Interviews were conducted with a sample of pupils and practitioners who work with them. These included school teac hers, tutorial centre teachers, and service managers. The article explores the variety of views expressed and concludes that there is little evidence to support the claim that disaffection experienced by these pupils is the r esult of an inappropriate curriculum. Rather, it reflects a deficiency of m otivational and coping strategies perhaps not best dealt with in 'out-of-sc hool' contexts.