Pleas for action as violence in schools soars 53%

MINISTERS have been pressed to take “urgent action” after new figures revealed that violence in schools has increased by more than 53% since the last pre-pandemic school year.

Statistics obtained through freedom of information showed 97,372 reports of violence and aggression were reported in schools across Scotland between 201819 and 2022-23.

In the current school year up to March 2024, a further 23,010 incidents were logged from 27 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

Analysis of the data shows that for the last full school year – 2022-23 – 29,180 incidents were recorded by schools, up 53.6% from the 18,993 in 2018-19, the last year before schools were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the total could be higher as Scotland’s largest local authority, Glasgow City Council, said it was unable to provide the data requested due to costs, alongside South Ayrshire.

Each local authority records the information in a different way, with most including verbal and physical aggression, throwing of objects, sexual harassment and damage to property.

Where a breakdown was provided, the vast majority of incidents were pupil violence against teachers.

Scottish Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “This shocking rise in school violence demands urgent action from the SNP.

“Teachers, school staff and families have been sounding the alarm on this issue, but the government hasn’t been listening.”

The Scottish Government said work was “well under way” to bring forward a national action plan with local authority group Cosla, with guidance set to be published in the spring.

A spokesman said: “The Scottish Government is taking action in response to issues with behaviour in schools, providing new funding to train support staff and launching the gender-based violence in schools framework.”