What Is A Pupil Referral Unit?
If you’re a parent, nothing quite shakes you like hearing the words: “We may need to consider permanent exclusion.”
Suddenly, the future feels uncertain. Will your child ever get back on track? Will they still have the same opportunities as others? That’s often when the phrase pupil referral unit comes up.
But what is a pupil referral unit, and what does it mean for your child’s education and future?
In this post, I’ll break it down clearly for you, without any jargon, simply giving you just straight answers. I'll help you understand pupil referral units and also how to prevent your child reaching the point of exclusion. With the right strategies and support, exclusion can often be avoided.
What Are Pupil Referral Units? The Basics Explained
Let’s start with the essentials. A pupil referral unit (often shortened to PRU) is an alternative education setting in the UK designed for children who are not able to attend mainstream school. This could be for a variety of reasons, such as behaviour difficulties, medical needs, mental health challenges or being at risk of exclusion from a mainstream setting. (Where the latter is used as a short-term placement in order to provide respite and some additional support, with a view the child returns to mainstream school and is no longer at risk of being permanently excluded from it).
When asking “what are pupil referral units for?”, the answer is simple.
They exist to give children another chance. A PRU provides smaller class sizes, more targeted support and different approaches to learning.
On the surface, this sounds positive. And most times, it is. However, once a child is excluded and placed in a pupil referral unit, it can be very hard to return to mainstream school. PRUs can provide stability, yes, but they also come with challenges.
The Reality Of Life In A Pupil Referral Unit
At the time of writing this post, I’ve spent almost 16 years working in schools, colleges and PRUs, supporting young people and families navigating these differing worlds. I've seen so many examples of excellent staff carrying out vital work.
In PRUs, there are excellent staff doing life changing work on a daily basis.
When coming to a PRU, the following can often happen:
Children lose confidence because they feel “different” or labelled.
Parents feel judged, left out of the loop and out of control.
Young people begin to believe mainstream education is no longer an option for them.
For some young people, PRUs offer a fresh start. For others, they can feel like a final stop. That’s why understanding what a pupil referral unit is isn’t just about definition. It’s about recognising the risk of permanent exclusion and acting before things reach that point.
Click here to read more about what life inside a pupil referral unit is like to uncover 10 reasons why a placement at a pupil referral unit may benefit your child.
Why Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure
The question isn’t just “what is a pupil referral unit?” It’s also “how can we prevent my child ending up there in the first place?”
For so many children and young people, the PRU environment is perfect for them. Mainstream settings aren't for every child, and in so many cases, a child being placed at a pupil referral unit is actually the change they need that steers them on to the right path towards success.
So many young people are able to thrive in the smaller environment with access to additional support and opportunities that they may not otherwise have been receiving in a mainstream setting.
That being said, there are some young people that get excluded, but perhaps could have avoided being permanently excluded from mainstream school with some prior, additional intervention much earlier on.
Exclusion is rarely inevitable. In many cases, the right strategies, advocacy and mindset shifts can turn things around before the point of no return. Schools often exclude when they feel they’ve run out of options. But with practical tools, you can help them see new ones.
Prevention matters because:
Once excluded, reintegration back into mainstream is tough.
Exclusion often affects self-esteem and can impact future opportunities.
Preventing exclusion keeps more choices open for your child’s future.
Practical Strategies Parents Can Use Right Now
From my years as a safeguarding manager and as a coach, here are three strategies you can start applying today:
1. Build Stronger Communication With The School
Don’t wait for a crisis. Engage with regular check-ins with teachers and support staff, whether its through a quick e-mail, attending parents evenings or making yourself available for a telephone call, not just when there’s bad news. Position yourself as part of the team, ready to work in partnership and happy to support.
2. Focus On Small Wins, Not Perfection
If your child is struggling, celebrate progress in small steps. Attending lessons, completing homework or managing their emotions in a tricky moment are all wins that should be acknowledged.
3. Advocate With Confidence
Know your rights and your child’s rights. Too often, parents feel they can’t challenge decisions. But when you understand the process and use calm, informed language, schools take notice. Schools want to help, and they want to work effectively with parents.
How My Preventing Permanent Exclusion Coaching Session Can Help
This is exactly why I created my Preventing Permanent Exclusion online session. It’s designed to give parents the tools, strategies and confidence they need to avoid exclusion before it happens.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
Understand the school’s perspective without losing sight of your child’s needs.
De-escalate situations before they warrant an exclusion.
Create an action plan with the school that works in your child’s favour.
Boost your child’s resilience and reframe their mindset so they can succeed in mainstream education.
This session is about practical, real-world solutions that work. And the best part? You’ll leave the session feeling empowered, not overwhelmed.
Find out more about how my Preventing Permanent Exclusion session can help, or click here to get more permanent exclusion guidance.
What If You’re Already Facing The Risk Of Exclusion?
If you’ve already had warnings from school, it’s not too late. Parents often think exclusion is inevitable once the process starts. It isn’t.
Schools want to avoid exclusion. With the right approach, you can turn the tide, even at this stage.
This is where personalised support makes all the difference. By stepping into my Preventing Permanent Exclusion session, you’ll gain immediate clarity on your next steps and the confidence to take them.
From Fear To Empowerment
So, what is a pupil referral unit? It’s a place of opportunity. It's a vital safety net when mainstream isn’t working, and sometimes the best long-term solution. It's all dependent on circumstances and what is needed to truly help a young person succeed and thrive.
The real question is: how do we prevent our children from needing one?
The answer lies in knowledge, strategy and support. You don’t have to face this challenge alone. With the right guidance, you can turn worry into action and protect your child’s future.
Book Your Spot On The Next Preventing Permanent Exclusion Session
If your child is at risk of exclusion, don’t wait until it’s too late. Book your Preventing Permanent Exclusion coaching session today and take back control of the situation. I also offer consultations for parents, should you feel a one-to-one session to talk things through would help.
Together, we’ll create a plan that empowers both you and your child to move forward with confidence.