Northumberland pupil referral unit (PRU)

Children who come to the PRU have experienced problems caused by their behaviour at school. These problems have probably affected their learning, their ability to get the most out of school and have often caused difficulties with other children.

We:

• offer children a chance to change
• help pupils to find a way back into long-term education
• help schools to support children when they come back

The PRU is not an alternative to school, a way for schools to get rid of ‘difficult’ pupils or a punishment for bad behaviour. Schools have often used up all options and may be considering permanent exclusion. Some pupils have been permanently excluded from school when they arrive.

While the PRU doesn’t tolerate any kind of violence or bullying, staff understand many children deal with problems by ‘acting out.’ A child may find it better to disturb lessons through constant low-level disruption than to show themselves up by not being able to do the work in lessons.

Schools are aware of this too and often put a lot of effort and ingenuity into supporting children with behaviour problems. However, they don’t have the time or scope to work as flexibly or intensively as the PRU can.