Teachers reluctant to report violence

In case it makes schools 'look bad'

- RUTH SUTER

TEACHERS have told the Scottish Parliament they are discouraged from reporting classroom violence over fears it could "make their schools look bad".

Teaching unions, child experts and parent groups met with the Education, Children and Young People's Committee yesterday at Holyrood in a bid to tackle an epidemic of violence in schools.

MSPs heard how labour-intensive reporting systems are often deterring teaching staff from raising violent incidents alongside a "culture of fear".