Three quarters of teachers working in pupil referral units (PRUs) oppose government plans to give private companies a greater role running them, according to NUT research. Half were also unhappy about the state of units’ buildings. The union is preparing its response to ministers who want a wider range of providers, including charities and private companies, which it may allow to make a profit. One teacher working at a privately-run PRU said the unit had suffered from problems, including poor pay, unqualified staff, a non-specific curriculum and “over-use of restraint as behaviour management”.