Workplace Report April 2009

Health & safety news

Teacher attacks condemned

Schools must do more to protect staff from assault, the NASUWT teachers union has argued, after a member suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder following an attack.

Colin Adams was awarded over £250,000 in damages by the courts last month after an attack forced him to take ill-health retirement. The student had attacked a library worker the week before, and even though school managers were aware of this, they failed to inform teachers.

Jim Quigley from the NASUWT said: “Every day some teachers are at risk because pupils who have a history of violence and aggression are not properly risk-assessed and preventative measures are not in place.”