West Dunbartonshire, Scotland – The number of recorded incidents of employees at education hubs across the local authority being the victims of aggression by children has increased significantly in recent years. According to an FOI request by the Clydebank Post, there were 723 recorded incidents in the 2022/23 school year, compared to 175 in 2017/18, marking an increase of 313 percent.
The alarming numbers highlight the fear staff live with daily and could even be an underrepresentation of the actual figures, according to a teachers union. The increase in incidents has raised concerns about the safety of teachers and school staff in West Dunbartonshire Council.
With 12,226 school pupils in West Dunbartonshire Council, 5,281 pupils have Additional Support Needs (ASN), accounting for 43% of the student population. The prevalence of ASN pupils has been linked to a higher number of recorded incidents at schools, with ASN school Kilpatrick having the most reported incidents during the 2017/18 school year.
Teachers’ union the EIS conducted a survey showing that 66 percent of teachers experience attacks daily, with 70 percent experiencing physical violence such as slapping, punching, kicking, hair pulling, biting, and objects thrown at them. The union has called for changes to protect teachers and staff, emphasizing the impact of poverty on the behavior of children in and outside of school.
The poor behavior in schools has had a serious effect on the learning of every pupil, making them less focused, agitated, nervous, withdrawn, and less happy in class. It has also caused increased stress among teachers, with around 80 percent of West Dunbartonshire teachers considering leaving the profession.
The West Dunbartonshire Council has expressed commitment to reducing physical and verbal abuse and supporting employees to record incidents. They have stated their dedication to ensuring the safety of teachers and staff at work. It is estimated that a third of pupils in the schools have additional support needs, contributing to the challenges faced by teachers and school staff.