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/scotland/6645187.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Call for violent pupil assessment Call for violent pupil assessment
(about 7 hours later)
Teachers have called for a risk assessment to be carried out before pupils excluded for violent behaviour are allowed back into school.Teachers have called for a risk assessment to be carried out before pupils excluded for violent behaviour are allowed back into school.
The issue will be debated at the annual Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) congress in Coylumbridge, near Aviemore, which opens on Friday. The plan was backed at the annual Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) congress in Coylumbridge, near Aviemore, which opened on Friday.
Of the 40,000 school exclusions last year, an increasing proportion were for violent conduct, according to the SSTA. Of the 43,000 school exclusions last year, an increasing proportion were for violent conduct, according to the SSTA.
President Albert McKay said the move would help protect teachers and pupils.President Albert McKay said the move would help protect teachers and pupils.
The union's Aberdeenshire branch is to introduce the motion. The union's Aberdeenshire branch introduced the motion, which was backed unanimously.
The branch said it was concerned that pupils were free to walk straight back into class once their exclusion period ended.The branch said it was concerned that pupils were free to walk straight back into class once their exclusion period ended.
Mr McKay, an Ellon Academy guidance teacher, said action was needed.Mr McKay, an Ellon Academy guidance teacher, said action was needed.
"An increasing number (of exclusions) are actually a result of violent behaviour," he said."An increasing number (of exclusions) are actually a result of violent behaviour," he said.
The worst possible scenario is someone excluded for violent conduct repeats that violent conduct, and perhaps at a higher level Albert McKaySSTAThe worst possible scenario is someone excluded for violent conduct repeats that violent conduct, and perhaps at a higher level Albert McKaySSTA
"This ranges from verbal abuse to physical assault or the threat of physical assault even through to fairly serious physical assault involving weapons.""This ranges from verbal abuse to physical assault or the threat of physical assault even through to fairly serious physical assault involving weapons."
Mr McKay said that at present, an excluded pupil would return following a meeting with teachers to discuss their behaviour.Mr McKay said that at present, an excluded pupil would return following a meeting with teachers to discuss their behaviour.
He said: "What we are arguing for is that a formal risk assessment for a pupil returning following violent conduct exclusion will be done as a matter of course.He said: "What we are arguing for is that a formal risk assessment for a pupil returning following violent conduct exclusion will be done as a matter of course.
"The worst possible scenario is someone excluded for violent conduct repeats that violent conduct, and perhaps at a higher level, and staff and pupils are put at risk.""The worst possible scenario is someone excluded for violent conduct repeats that violent conduct, and perhaps at a higher level, and staff and pupils are put at risk."
The proposals would see pupils assessed on their previous behaviour by a senior member of the school management team.The proposals would see pupils assessed on their previous behaviour by a senior member of the school management team.
Extreme casesExtreme cases
Support measures would be put in place which could include anger management classes and counselling.Support measures would be put in place which could include anger management classes and counselling.
In very extreme cases, a pupil could be taught off-site.In very extreme cases, a pupil could be taught off-site.
If the motion is approved the matter will be considered by the Scottish Executive and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla). The matter will now be considered by the Scottish Executive and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).
It could then be adopted by councils across the country.It could then be adopted by councils across the country.
A recent Scottish Executive report showed there were 42,990 exclusions in state primary and secondary pupils between 2005 and 2006, an average of 226 each school day.A recent Scottish Executive report showed there were 42,990 exclusions in state primary and secondary pupils between 2005 and 2006, an average of 226 each school day.
The figures showed exclusions had risen by nearly 18% in four years.The figures showed exclusions had risen by nearly 18% in four years.