Violent attacks on teachers at ‘alarming’ rate

MORE than 5,000 violent attacks reported in Scottish schools left some teachers needing medical treatment, figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives show.

- BY BEN BORLAND

Freedom of information data reveals 5,222 incidents were recorded from 2019/20 to 2024/25, with the party saying the numbers are “deeply alarming”.

From that five-year total, injured teachers needed to attend hospital or visit a GP on 225 occasions.

However, some councils did not respond to the freedom of information request, meaning the true figure may be higher.

In a bid to restore classroom discipline, the Tories have pledged to change the law and allow headteachers to exclude pupils. At present only a local authority can exclude a pupil, with guidance that it should be used only as a ‘last resort’.