CLASS WARFARE

Report lays bare shocking extent of violence in schools with one in 10 staff members assaulted in a week and rising tide of anti-social behaviour by pupils

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A RISE in weapon attacks in schools has been revealed in a major study of teachers and support staff.

The Scottish Government commissioned report showed that one in 10 staff members were assaulted in the last week.

The Behaviour In Scottish Schools Research (BISSR) also showed a rise in vaping, truancy, misogynistic views and problematic use of mobile phones and social media.

Last night unions and politicians united to express serious concern at the findings.

Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS, Scotland's largest teaching union, said: "The results make worrying reading for everyone involved in Scottish education.

"This is against a backdrop of large class sizes, overworked teachers, rising levels of additional support needs and cuts to specialist provision.

"A lack of investment in education and support for young people, coupled with societal issues such as poverty, the influence of social media, mental ill-health and the continuing aftermath of the pandemic, have created an environment where too many young people feel alienated, isolated and distressed.

"For a growing minority of young people, this is increasingly manifesting itself in unruly, disruptive or violent behaviour and aimed at staff or pupils."

The research found just over a third of staff had experienced general verbal abuse from students in the past seven days, while 16 percent had had to deal with physical aggression, and 11 percent saw physical violence towards themselves or other staff. In addition, 67 percent of the teachers and school support workers surveyed said they had encountered general verbal abuse between pupils within the past week.