What Are PRU Schools? | Supporting Students with Heart Teaching

Understanding PRU Schools and the Amazing Students Who Attend Them

At Heart Teaching, we believe every child deserves a second chance and a fresh start 🌈. That’s why we’re passionate about supporting Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and the brilliant young minds within them. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone just learning about alternative education, this guide will help you understand what PRUs are all about — and why they’re so important.

🏫 What is a PRU School?

Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) are alternative education settings for children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream schools. This can be for various reasons, including:

Behavioural challenges
Mental health needs
Exclusion from mainstream education
Special educational needs (SEN)
School refusal or anxiety

PRUs are smaller, more supportive environments designed to help students re-engage with education in a way that suits their individual needs. They focus on building confidence, resilience, and positive relationships 🧠💪.

👩‍🏫 Who Attends PRU Schools?

PRUs serve a wide range of students, each with their own unique stories and strengths:

🧒 Children with emotional or behavioural difficulties
🧠 Students with undiagnosed or complex SEND
❤️ Young people going through difficult family or social situations
🎓 Learners who need extra support to succeed

No two students in a PRU are the same — and that’s what makes this environment so powerful. The focus is on individual growth, tailored learning plans, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space to thrive.

💡 Why Are PRUs So Important?

PRUs are more than just a temporary alternative. They are often a lifeline for children and young people who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the traditional education system.

Key benefits of PRUs include:

✅ Smaller class sizes
✅ Specialist staff trained in behavioural and emotional support
✅ Personalised learning approaches
✅ Focus on wellbeing and social development

Many students go on to return to mainstream schools, enter further education, or move into vocational training or employment. PRUs help them believe in their potential again 🌟.

🧑‍🏫 What’s It Like to Work in a PRU?

Working in a PRU is rewarding, challenging, and deeply meaningful. At Heart Teaching, we work with skilled educators who bring compassion, creativity, and commitment to these vital roles.

You’ll need:

Patience and empathy 🫶
A strong understanding of behaviour management
The ability to form positive relationships with students
A flexible and nurturing approach

Whether you’re a teacher, teaching assistant, mentor, or support worker, you can make a huge difference in a PRU setting.

❤️ How Heart Teaching Supports PRUs

We’re proud to partner with PRUs across the UK, providing them with:

Qualified and passionate education staff
Ongoing training and development
A deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of alternative education

At Heart Teaching, we match the right people with the right schools — because relationships matter, especially in settings where trust and consistency are everything.

📢 Final Thoughts

PRUs are transformational spaces where young people are given the chance to reset, rebuild, and rediscover their love of learning. At Heart Teaching, we’re proud to champion these schools and the remarkable students who attend them.

Every child deserves the chance to shine — sometimes, they just need the right environment to do it 🌟.