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Teachers

SNP Guidance on Improving Behaviour in Scotland's Schools Falls Short

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Teachers dealing with violent pupils may be expected to consult a set of laminated bullet points on how to respond, according to new SNP guidance on improving behaviour in Scotland's schools. The guidance has been met with criticism from opposition politicians, who argue it fails to address the "epidemic of violence" in classrooms. The Scottish Government's advice suggests that teachers use a "laminated set of bullet points" to remind them how to respond to violent pupils, as well as hand signals and eye contact to address "low-level disruption". The guidance has been seen as an inadequate response to the issue, with the NASUWT teaching union warning that Scottish schools are facing an "exponential increase" in pupil violence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SNP guidance on improving behaviour in Scotland's schools suggests that teachers use a "laminated set of bullet points" to remind them how to respond to violent pupils.
  • The guidance also recommends using hand signals and eye contact to address "low-level disruption".
  • The NASUWT teaching union has warned that Scottish schools are facing an "exponential increase" in pupil violence, with classroom behaviour deteriorating "massively".
  • A report by the NASUWT found that female teachers were bearing the brunt of the attacks, with around half reported physical abuse or violence in the previous 12 months.
  • The union also found that more than a quarter (27%) of female teachers reported being hit or punched in the past year, compared to 13% of male teachers.
  • Jenny Gilruth, the SNP Education Secretary, has said that excluding badly behaved pupils from the classroom should only be a "last resort".
  • The Scottish Tories have accused the SNP of issuing a "pathetic response" to the issue of pupil violence in classrooms.

Statistics:

  • 27% of female teachers reported being hit or punched by pupils in the past year (NASUWT)
  • 13% of male teachers reported being hit or punched by pupils in the past year (NASUWT)
  • 36% of male teachers reported physical abuse or violence in the previous 12 months (NASUWT)
  • 50% of female teachers reported physical abuse or violence in the previous 12 months (NASUWT)
  • The Scottish Tories have accused the SNP of issuing a "pathetic response" to the issue of pupil violence in classrooms.
  • The NASUWT has warned of an "exponential increase" in pupil violence in Scottish schools.

Sources:

  • "SNP guidance on school behaviour: Laminated list of bullet points given to teachers amid 'epidemic of violence'." Scottish Sun (no date)
  • "SNP guidance on improving behaviour in Scotland's schools: What it says and what it means." The Scotsman (no date)
  • "Teachers union warns of 'exponential increase' in pupil violence in Scotland's schools." BBC News (no date)
  • "Report highlights 'massive' deterioration in classroom behaviour in Scottish schools." Herald Scotland (no date)
  • "SNP education secretary defends response to pupil violence in classrooms." The Times (no date)
  • "Teachers union calls for SNP to do more to tackle 'scourge' of misogyny and gender-based abuse." Evening News (no date)

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