Drop in cases of abuse of secondary school staff in the Borders
Tuesday, March 11 2008
For the second year running the number of incidents of verbal or physical abuse of secondary school staff in the Borders has fallen.
A report on staff abuse was considered at the March meeting of the Scottish Borders Council Education Executive.
Exclusion report (pdf)
Executive Member for Education, Catriona Bhatia, said: “Departmental initiatives to improve pupil behaviour are clearly taking effect, but even at 26 the number of incidents is too high. I want a climate in schools where all of our staff know they are safe and respected.
“Figures for primary schools have increased but I am satisfied that this is largely due to a spate of incidents involving just a few pupils with particularly complex additional support needs.”
A new approach has been put in place to ensure more resources are put in place as soon as any pupil is involved in more than one incident.
The Council will also be rolling out training to all additional needs assistants to help them to avoid conflict situations.
The Education Executive also heard plans for a new approach to the collection and reporting of data that will provide consistent and robust information.
“This will help to avoid situations where the data provided has been misinterpreted and blown out of proportion, with unjustified public criticism of our schools and pupils,” added Councillor Bhatia.
The report included information on school exclusions. There is a rising pattern, but this is largely due to a more consistent approach in the way pupils are dealt with.
The rate of exclusions in secondary schools saw an increase of six pupils over the 2005/06 figure, with 61 pupils in every 1000 pupils being excluded. This is half of the national average.
In primary schools, the rate of exclusions rose by one to 17 pupils for each 1000 pupils, just ahead of the national average.
There is no direct correlation between incidents in schools and exclusions.
The Education Executive approved a recommendation that statistics for pupil exclusions and incidents of physical or violent abuse of staff by pupils should be provided every March, and welcomed the additional steps taken to protect staff.
Unified Solutions.