With 90% of teachers reporting verbal abuse or violence from pupils, Dr Patrick Roach calls on ministers to act to address the real issues affecting children's health and wellbeing.
If it is said that the wheels are coming off in government, it must also be said that it is teachers who are bearing the brunt of 13 years of government neglect as a result of a careening behaviour crisis threatening to engulf our schools.
Thousands of NASUWT members responded to our recent Behaviour in Schools survey (NASUWT, 2023a). A staggering 90% had experienced verbal abuse or violence from pupils, including being sworn at, kicked, shoved, or headbutted.
One in 10 of these respondents described receiving physical or verbal abuse on a weekly basis. The problem – according to the teachers – has got worse, damaging the health and wellbeing of dedicated professionals. It goes without saying that this situation cannot be allowed to continue.
