Public Servant Lifestyle

Trade union calls for zero tolerance on disruptive and violent pupils.

Increased violence and disruption in schools has led to new guidance to protect teaching staff.

Steps to tackle the problem have been issued, for the first time, by teachers union the NASUWT, in its annual diary which is sent to the homes of its members across the UK.

The guidance calls for a code of conduct in schools with a zero tolerance policy for those who break the rules – including exclusion for pupils who verbally abuse staff.

Parents who have been violent and disruptive should be banned from schools, says the NASUWT. Staff should be given training in avoiding and managing dangerous situations, with one trained member of the Senior Management Team on stand-by, in case an incident occurs.

A failure by schools to put in place adequate protection for teachers may lead to risk assessments for violent and disruptive pupils, and a refusal to teach those who pose a real danger, says the union.

“It is unacceptable that teachers should face violence at work," says NASUWT general secretary Eamonn O'Kane. "NASUWT guidance highlights options available to limit the threat. By including this in the diary, every member can carry round details of the steps necessary to protect themselves in school.

“Although the numbers of pupils excluded last year went up for the first time in the past six years, NASUWT remains concerned that governing bodies continue to readmit violent and disruptive pupils.”

The guidance calls for:

Headteachers to introduce a code of conduct for pupils, with exclusion for those who fail to follow the rules

A zero tolerance policy of verbal abuse, with exclusion as the penalty

Training for all staff in avoiding and managing violent and disruptive pupils

A trained member of Senior Management Team on stand-by, to intervene in violent and disruptive situations

A ban on violent and disruptive parents from school premises

It advises teachers who suffer from violence and disruptive pupils to:

Report all incidents of actual or threatened assault or criminal damage to the police

Report all incidents causing stress through reporting procedures in schools and the Department of Work and Pensions

The guidance also sets out steps for NASUWT representatives to tackle schools failing to establish a safe working environment

The NASUWT is one of the largest teachers' unions with over 200,000 members, and the only one to organise in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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