Only one-in-three teachers subjected to violence and aggression from pupils and parents say the incidents were resolved “satisfactorily” by the authorities.  

Fresh data from the teachers’ union found that educators in Fife had little faith in systems put in place to deal with potentially threatening incidents. 

A new report from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) comes after the union revealed that 94 per cent of teachers in Fife have been involved in violent and aggressive incidents in the last four years, while and 61% have been assaulted in the same time period.   

Teachers reported that violent and aggressive incidents were a daily occurrence in 48% of schools. 

Figures released today show only 34% of teachers say their school had a clear, agreed, and publicised plan for managing behaviour.  

The EIS data also showed that 31% thought that violent and aggressive incidents were resolved satisfactorily, while fewer than a quarter were happy with the support for staff which is put in place when an incident takes place. 

School pupils School pupils (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty)

Dissatisfaction skyrocketed for those involved with pupils with additional support, with 92% saying that a lack of specialist staff was leading to them facing violent and aggressive behaviour. 

Graeme Keir, Fife EIS Publicity Officer, said teachers felt that these services were “overloaded”. 

He said “We’ve seen a real rise in violent and aggressive incidents since the pandemic but this crisis has not been brought about by the pandemic.  

“The causes are more complex: over fourteen years of austerity has seen poverty rocket and support and education budgets slashed.  

“Our young people are experiencing real distress and mental health issues but support services are overloaded.” 

The EIS report also found that almost two-thirds (60%) of teachers reported pressure to reduce exclusion rates, while only 29% thought restorative means of improving behaviour and wellbeing were properly resourced. 

As a result, 77% thought that a lack of measures to deal with low level disruption led to violence and aggression.

READ MORE:

Mr Keir, said: “We still support these approaches, in many cases, but it’s clear that the resources have not been put into the system to support the massive rise in pupils needing help and the time-consuming nature of these approaches.  

“Class sizes and class commitment must be reduced and specialist services increased. Instead we are threatened with further budget reductions. 

“Schools also clearly need an agreed plan of behaviour expectations and sanctions. Headteachers must work with staff to agree these plans and make sure they are supported by parents. While schools are still so under-funded exclusion must be a measure available to headteachers.” 

Fife council have been approached to comment.