A teacher suffers a violent attack almost every school day in England, official government figures suggest.
A teacher suffers a violent attack almost every school day in England, official government figures suggest.
There were 221 attacks on teachers last year alone, and 1,128 between 2000 and 2006, information revealed by the Liberal Democrats shows.
There were 221 attacks on teachers last year alone, and 1,128 between 2000 and 2006, information revealed by the Liberal Democrats shows.
The figures show the number of injuries caused by violent attacks increased by a fifth over the same period.
The figures show the number of injuries caused by violent attacks increased by a fifth over the same period.
Lib Dem education spokeswoman Sarah Teather, who obtained the figures, said such attacks led to fear in schools.
Lib Dem education spokeswoman Sarah Teather, who obtained the figures, said such attacks led to fear in schools.
Violent attacks against teachers are completely unacceptable and must be prosecuted Sarah Teather
Violent attacks against teachers are completely unacceptable and must be prosecuted Sarah Teather
She said: "These chilling figures reveal the shocking levels of violence in schools.
She said: "These chilling figures reveal the shocking levels of violence in schools.
"Every few years a particularly tragic case makes the news, but the hidden story is that a teacher in England falls victim to a serious assault every single working day.
"Every few years a particularly tragic case makes the news, but the hidden story is that a teacher in England falls victim to a serious assault every single working day.
"As with patients who attack staff in A&E, pupils and parents have to be made to understand that the law applies inside the school gates just the same as outside.
"As with patients who attack staff in A&E, pupils and parents have to be made to understand that the law applies inside the school gates just the same as outside.
"Violent attacks against teachers are completely unacceptable and must be prosecuted.
"Violent attacks against teachers are completely unacceptable and must be prosecuted.
Time off work
Time off work
She said the impact of such incidents spreads much further than just the victim's suffering.
She said the impact of such incidents spreads much further than just the victim's suffering.
"It damages the atmosphere of the entire school and creates a culture of fear," she said.
"It damages the atmosphere of the entire school and creates a culture of fear," she said.
Ms Teather obtained the information after tabling a question to junior minister in the Department of Work and Pensions Anne McGuire.
Ms Teather obtained the information after tabling a question to junior minister in the Department of Work and Pensions Anne McGuire.
She asked how many serious injuries caused to school teachers by physical attacks had been reported to the Health and Safety Executive yearly between1999-2000 and 2005-6.
She asked how many serious injuries caused to school teachers by physical attacks had been reported to the Health and Safety Executive yearly between1999-2000 and 2005-6.
The number of injuries resulting in the victim needing three or more days work rose by 29%.
The number of injuries resulting in the victim needing three or more days work rose by 29%.
'Strong action'
'Strong action'
Most attacks were reported in Preston, Rotherham and South Derbyshire where five injuries to teachers were logged last year.
Most attacks were reported in Preston, Rotherham and South Derbyshire where five injuries to teachers were logged last year.
Bradford, Ealing and Purbeck local authorities followed closely with four.
Bradford, Ealing and Purbeck local authorities followed closely with four.
A spokeswoman for the National Union of Teachers said any attack was "completely unacceptable", but that they were relatively rare considering there were 7.5 million children being taught by 500,000 teachers.
A spokeswoman for the National Union of Teachers said any attack was "completely unacceptable", but that they were relatively rare.
"It's particularly galling when the attacks are being carried out by parents because they are the ones who should be helping with discipline and good behaviour among children," she added.
"It's particularly galling when the attacks are being carried out by parents because they are the ones who should be helping with discipline and good behaviour among children," she added.
Sentencing guidelines now make it a more serious offence to assault those working in the public sector, such as school staff DFES
Sentencing guidelines now make it a more serious offence to assault those working in the public sector, such as school staff DFES
General Secretary of the NASUWT Chris Keates said her union had been raising the issue of violence against teachers for many years.
General Secretary of the NASUWT Chris Keates said her union had been raising the issue of violence against teachers for many years.
"We need to take strong action where there's serious violence against teachers."
"We need to take strong action where there's serious violence against teachers."
Thanks to a legal landmark case won by the NASUWT, schools and teachers can refuse to teach pupils who are violent, she added.
But she warned there was a need to keep the issue in perspective as most teachers said the biggest challenge they faced was low level disruption in class.
But she warned there was a need to keep the issue in perspective as most teachers said the biggest challenge they faced was low level disruption in class.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Education and Skills said violence against members of school staff would not be tolerated.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Education and Skills said violence against members of school staff would not be tolerated.
"We fully back schools taking tough action to remove or prosecute anyone - whether parent or pupil - who is behaving in an aggressive way," she said.
"We fully back schools taking tough action to remove or prosecute anyone - whether parent or pupil - who is behaving in an aggressive way," she said.
"Sentencing guidelines now make it a more serious offence to assault those working in the public sector, such as school staff."
"Sentencing guidelines now make it a more serious offence to assault those working in the public sector, such as school staff."
School staff had been given new statutory powers to enforce discipline, including the right to use reasonable force, which should give them confidence to tackle bad behaviour, she added.
Chief executive of Teacher Support Network Patrick Nash said violent attacks can have a devastating impact.
"Many of the teachers experiencing violence told us that they have suffered severe stress, anxiety and a fear of going to school.
"In some extreme cases, this has led to long-term sickness absence and even ill-health retirement."
The Teacher Support Network is conducting a survey on violence against teachers this month.
The Teacher Support Network is conducting a survey on violence against teachers this month.
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