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.
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."
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."
Chief executive of Teacher Support Network Patrick Nash said violent attacks can have a devastating impact.
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.
"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."
"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.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
Your comments
Teachers are not given training to deal with these pupils Kevina, UK Problems of violence also occur due to a lack of training of staff. SEN students are expected to learn in mainstream. However teachers are not given training to deal with these pupils who often have behaviour difficulties. In our case inappropriate physical handling of our son by a teacher caused our SEN son to lash back.I agree teachers should not have to tolerate violent behaviour from pupils. However, I also strongly believe the actions of staff need to be looked at closer as some children (both SEN and NT students) are also victims of violence and abuse from staff who not trained adequately to deal with behaviour difficulties of students expected to attend mainstream.Kevina, UK
My daughter, a teacher in the state sector, has been subjected to several dreadful verbal assaults of an obscene nature in the past few months without any serious action being taken against those responsible. My wife gave up teaching in the state sector for the private sector and has noted the marked difference in standards between the two.
The teaching unions should back their members in taking out some test cases in court to publicise the daily assaults, and shame the educational establishment into providing real backing for teachers.Don, England
As I am a PCV driver I have the pleasure delivering and collecting school pupils, I find these young children to behave like animals, they create trouble as soon as they come out the school gates, and the onus is on the bus driver.We have just had the first very light snow fall in the midlands for the start of 2007 and immediately what they do is throw ice balls at the school bus as it leaves the stop BUT LAST WEEK a snowball was armed with grit and stones which hit one of my colleagues in the eye and almost blinded him, the last I heard was his eye sight was just returning but he is very bloodshot and due to this assault he is still off work sick.Trevor, UK
