A unit praised by inspectors for the way it teaches unruly children could close under new Government proposals.

The Secondary Behaviour Support Unit in London Road, Copford, could be scrapped, under proposals set out in a Government White Paper this week, which would replace pupil referral units (PRUs) with institutions run by the private sector.

After a visit in November last year, an Ofsted inspection rated the school as good with "a number of outstanding features".

At the time, nine students had been placed there for up to a term and a half, having been "at serious risk of permanent exclusion", with "a history of emotional, behavioural and social difficulties".

It states: "The progress many students make with their reading skills is outstanding, and they gain tremendous confidence and self-esteem, which supports their progress in all areas."

General secretary of the Essex NUT Jerry Glazier, who teaches at a pupil referral unit in Basildon, said while he supported attempts to identify children with behavioural problems as early as possible, he wanted to see units remain and improve where necessary, rather than replacing them.

He said the good work carried out at Copford and Basildon showed the way forward.

"Obviously we would be opposed to any privatised provision," he added. "Clearly across Essex the provision has not been equal and I think that has been an issue.

"Some of the teachers working in PRUs are extremely experienced teachers, who have worked in primary and secondary teaching for many years.

"They understand the needs of pupils who have had problems in engaging in studies and who have problems in schools.

"The union thinks that PRUs have a substantial and increasing role in the future provision of education."

The new £26.5 million plans, announced by Schools Secretary Ed Balls last week, are aimed at identifying pupils with special needs as early as possible, and creating pilots for alternatives to pupil referral units.