PLANS to rename the Hartlepool Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) have been praised by councillors, who hope it will remove any negative stigma attached to the school.

The site is to be renamed The Horizon School Hartlepool, as agreed by councillors on the local authority’s children’s services committee.

The town’s Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) is based at the Centre for Excellence, Teaching and Learning (CETL) in Brierton Lane.

It provides education for pupils such as those who would not receive suitable teaching elsewhere due to issues such as illness or having been permanently excluded.

The renaming proposal comes as part of plans to reflect the ongoing development of the PRU.

Councillors were unanimous in their support for the move, adding that they believe it should have a positive impact on the school.

Cllr Jim Lindridge voiced his support, saying: “I welcome the new name, it’s a long time coming.

“I think it also takes away any potential stigma in the name – the Pupil Referral Unit doesn’t sound very good in the public’s eyes.”

He added: “It’s the wrong perception. People go there for lots of different reasons and I think this is the ideal opportunity – it’s a long time coming.”

Cllr Brenda Harrison also noted it is a positive move for the school and said she believes it should benefit the whole area.

Cllr Harrison said: “I think it’s a great idea to change the name.

“It completely takes away the whole kind of idea of what it is and gives it a fresh face completely.

“I think it’s a very, very good move, very positive.”

Cllr Lesley Hamilton added that she “hated” the name of the PRU.

And she said that she hopes that the change to The Horizon School Hartlepool will have the desired positive impact.

“I absolutely hate the name ‘Pupil Referral Unit’.” she said.

“I’m hoping that it does have the desired effect and that it will not be viewed in a negative light.

“I hope that the children that go there will want to go there and not feel embarrassed having to tell people where they are educated.”

Along with the name change, councillors also backed a review of the current constitution of the management committee for the school and the existing responsibilities of the committee.