The scale and impact of violent and disruptive behaviour in schools was laid bare this week by the publication of results from Teacher Support Network’s 2009 Violence and Disruption Survey.

In their responses, teachers described being assaulted, threatened with scissors, spat at and having their eardrum perforated by pupils.

Problems with teachers’ existing powers to take action over such behaviour were also highlighted, as well as issues with the proposed change in teacher’s responsibilities under the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning (ASCL) Bill.

Two out of five said they had been physically assaulted by a pupil, and almost three out of five said that objects had been thrown at them.

Nearly half (49 per cent) of respondents said that they had received threats of violence from pupils, and nearly all (95 per cent) had suffered swearing or backchat.

The potential effects on education more broadly were also shown in the survey, with over half (56 per cent) saying that they have considered leaving the profession as a result of such behaviour.

87 per cent of respondents said that they are not confident about searching a pupil for an offensive weapon, and less than half (46 per cent) said that they are confident in using reasonable force to stop a pupil harming themselves or someone else.

Despite the scale of the problem, the survey results also suggested that more needs to be done at a local level to address these problems, with 54 per cent saying that their school’s codes of conduct and behaviour policies are not being enforced effectively.

There was an indication that teachers feel that behaviour partnerships, proposed in the ASCL Bill, will work well. 82 per cent said that they worked well with parents to improve behaviour, with 62 per cent praising their relationships with the police. Results nevertheless also indicated that relations with staff in other schools as well as with social and children’s services staff could be improved.

Teachers also expressed their misgivings over other changes proposed by Sir Alan Steer. Over half (56 per cent) of respondents said that they thought that the ASCL Bill’s changes to search powers and procedures will not be very effective. Over two thirds (71.9 per cent) said they will not feel confident or comfortable in using the new search powers. In their comments, teachers indicated that they felt the proposals could increase the threat of false allegations against staff, put teachers at physical risk, particularly without sufficient training and support from management, and reduce trust between teachers and pupils.

Teacher Support Network Chief Executive, Julian Stanley, said: “Violence and disruption in schools are well documented problems and the work of Sir Alan Steer and the government in this area should be commended. However these problems persist within schools and more needs to be done to safeguard both teachers and pupils. In particular headteachers must ensure that national guidance and legislation is implemented locally in order for them to have any real effect.

“Schools must ensure that teachers have a clear understanding of the disciplinary options available to them and be confident in their use. Crucially, the development and implementation of school policies must involve the whole school community in order to effectively improve behaviour and discipline in the school.”

For the Teacher Support Network Press Office, contact Joe Williams on 02076 972 762, 07825 511 927 or here: