VIOLENCE IN CLASS

FIFTH of female teachers assaulted several times a week by pupils.. 6 TIMES more than male colleagues

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

ALMOST a fifth of female teachers in Scotland’s schools are being assaulted several times a week by pupils. 

The shocking research from teachers’ union NASUWT shows female teachers face more than six times the physical attacks than those experienced by male teachers.

Data from the union’s recent Behaviour in Schools survey shows that 19 percent of female teachers in Scotland said they have experienced physical abuse or violence from pupils several times a week in the previous 12 months, compared with three percent of male teachers.

Nineteen percent of female teachers had been hit or punched, compared with 12 percent of men, 39 percent were shoved or barged, compared with 29 percent of men, while 11 percent had been kicked, nine percent spat at, and two percent headbutted compared with eight percent, six percent and one percent of men.