This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/7981989.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Teachers report widespread abuse | |
| (1 day later) | |
| Four in 10 teachers have faced verbal or physical aggression from a pupil's parent or guardian, according to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. | Four in 10 teachers have faced verbal or physical aggression from a pupil's parent or guardian, according to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. |
| And of the 1,000 teachers surveyed, a quarter said a pupil had attacked them. | And of the 1,000 teachers surveyed, a quarter said a pupil had attacked them. |
| Over a third of teachers in primary schools said they had experienced physical aggression, compared with 20% in secondary schools. | Over a third of teachers in primary schools said they had experienced physical aggression, compared with 20% in secondary schools. |
| The government says teachers have sufficient means at their disposal to punish disruptive pupils. | The government says teachers have sufficient means at their disposal to punish disruptive pupils. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| Almost 60% of those questioned for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers' survey thought pupil behaviour had worsened during the past five years. | Almost 60% of those questioned for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers' survey thought pupil behaviour had worsened during the past five years. |
| The survey questioned over 1,000 teachers from primary and secondary schools. | The survey questioned over 1,000 teachers from primary and secondary schools. |
| The responses appear to suggest that bad behaviour is not the preserve of secondary schools. | The responses appear to suggest that bad behaviour is not the preserve of secondary schools. |
| 'Off sick' | 'Off sick' |
| One teacher at a primary school in England said: "A six-year-old completely trashed the staff room, put a knife through a computer screen, attacked staff and we had to call the police. | One teacher at a primary school in England said: "A six-year-old completely trashed the staff room, put a knife through a computer screen, attacked staff and we had to call the police. |
| "Another six-year-old attacked staff and pupils with the teacher's scissors." | "Another six-year-old attacked staff and pupils with the teacher's scissors." |
| People often underestimate that young children can be as violent and intimidating as the older ones Primary school teacher | People often underestimate that young children can be as violent and intimidating as the older ones Primary school teacher |
| Another teacher said: "I and other members of staff were physically assaulted daily by a five-year-old (including head-butting, punching). | Another teacher said: "I and other members of staff were physically assaulted daily by a five-year-old (including head-butting, punching). |
| "He was taken to the head to 'calm down' then brought back to apologise. | "He was taken to the head to 'calm down' then brought back to apologise. |
| "It became a vicious circle. I was off sick as a result. | "It became a vicious circle. I was off sick as a result. |
| "People often underestimate that young children can be as violent and intimidating as the older ones." | "People often underestimate that young children can be as violent and intimidating as the older ones." |
| Around one third of teachers surveyed said that they had lost confidence as a result of the behaviour they had faced. | Around one third of teachers surveyed said that they had lost confidence as a result of the behaviour they had faced. |
| But most teachers (90%) reported that "disruptive behaviour" constituted talking in class. | But most teachers (90%) reported that "disruptive behaviour" constituted talking in class. |
| Teacher on classroom violence | |
| "Persistent low-level rudeness and disruption seems to have become a fact of life in education today and no longer raises eyebrows or seems to merit special attention," said Dr Ian Lancaster, a secondary school teacher from Cheshire. | "Persistent low-level rudeness and disruption seems to have become a fact of life in education today and no longer raises eyebrows or seems to merit special attention," said Dr Ian Lancaster, a secondary school teacher from Cheshire. |
| Teachers will discuss the problem at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers' conference next week. | Teachers will discuss the problem at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers' conference next week. |
| Last year it emerged that more than 300 pupils a day were being temporarily, rather than permanently, excluded for violent conduct. | Last year it emerged that more than 300 pupils a day were being temporarily, rather than permanently, excluded for violent conduct. |
| A similar survey by ATL two years ago suggested half of teachers knew another who had been driven out of the profession by violent conduct. | A similar survey by ATL two years ago suggested half of teachers knew another who had been driven out of the profession by violent conduct. |
| ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said it was "shocking that over a third of teaching staff have experienced aggression from students' parents or guardians". | ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said it was "shocking that over a third of teaching staff have experienced aggression from students' parents or guardians". |
| "ATL firmly believes no member of staff should be subjected to violent behaviour by either students or parents. | "ATL firmly believes no member of staff should be subjected to violent behaviour by either students or parents. |
| "Parents should be acting as good role models by supporting staff and helping them create a more positive learning environment for their children." | "Parents should be acting as good role models by supporting staff and helping them create a more positive learning environment for their children." |
| The government said it was right that head teachers were using short, sharp shocks as a punishment. | The government said it was right that head teachers were using short, sharp shocks as a punishment. |
| Are you a teacher? Have you been affected by such aggression? What is your reaction to this survey? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: | Are you a teacher? Have you been affected by such aggression? What is your reaction to this survey? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |