Workplace Report June 2017

Health & safety news

Violence in schools


The GMB general union is calling for a zero-tolerance approach to violence in schools. A survey by the union found that more than half of school support staff experience violence at work and almost one in five experience violence every week.


The survey also found that 30% of school support staff have been injured by violence at work and that 57% of violence comes from pupils. Incidents highlighted in the study included members of staff being strangled, punched, kicked, having tables and chairs thrown at them and working in fear of violent gangs.


Respondents reported that in addition to physical injury, the experience of violence is also causing them stress, anxiety and depression. 


“The results of this survey make truly disturbing reading, with teaching assistants, caretakers, lunchtime supervisors ... experiencing shocking levels of violence,” said GMB national officer Karen Leonard.


https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/03/most-school-support-staff-assaulted-by-pupils-union-survey