IT'S CLASS WELFARE

Teacher tells of abuse she has suffered in classroom and how her colleagues live in fear

- RUTH SUTER

A TEACHER sexually and physically assaulted in her classroom has slammed the Scottish Government's summit on violence in schools as "nothing more than a talking shop".

The secondary school teacher who works in Glasgow and said she has been punched, kicked and grabbed between her legs in a series of incidents hit out over a lack of action since the summit took place in September.

At the time, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth heard first-hand accounts of school violence from teachers, unions and child experts.

She said it was clear the current system of monitoring and recording violent incidents in schools is inconsistent and pledged to develop a more robust system to provide staff with better support.

But the teacher, who asked to remain anonymous over fears for her safety, said "nothing has changed".

She told the Record: "Attacks on staff are still happening on a daily basis and teachers remain reluctant to report incidents because of a toxic blaming culture.

"I have been punched in the stomach and face, kicked in the legs and touched inappropriately.

"During one incident, a pupil grabbed on to my chest and had their hand on my crotch. They wouldn't move and I couldn't get them off me. I just had to try to block myself off from it.

"I've also had things thrown at me, including chairs, tables and rocks. And I've even seen teachers hospitalised with concussion.

"All these things are not uncommon, which is scary.

Even when you have a reasonably calm class, you're constantly on high alert.