TEACHERS in Scotland claimed more than half a million pounds in compensation in 2023 as a result of violence in schools.
New data from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), Scotland’s largest teaching union, found £541,499 was paid out to the union’s members in personal injury claims in 2023.
The union’s general secretary, Andrea Bradley (below), said the rise in violent incidents was “worrying”, and urged the Scottish Government and local authorities to take “urgent action” to ensure teachers can work without fear of assault or injury.
The 2023 sum for personal injury claims is an 83% increase from the previous year, when £245,902 was paid out to teachers.
The largest settlement saw a teacher compensated £180,000 after a school assault left them with a serious injury.
READ MORE: University staff to vote on strike action over course axing
There were five assault claims in total, with a teacher who was assaulted on three separate occasions awarded £28,469.
A teacher punched in the face by a pupil, resulting in a hairline fracture to the jaw, was paid £6020, while another teacher who was headbutted causing damage to the teeth, received £4500.
Another teacher was paid £1500 after they were assaulted trying to break up a fight between pupils. The union said the staff member sustained a laceration to the temple which needed stitches.
The other seven claims were a result of accident and health claims, including £135,000 for a member who broke their ankle in two places and £100,000 for a slip on a wet floor.
Bradley said pursuing compensation was never a “pleasant task”, but that the EIS would always “give its all” on behalf of its members.
She continued: “No one deserves to suffer injury or assault in their workplace, which is why local authorities – as the employers of teachers – have a legal duty of care to ensure a safe working environment for all school staff.
“Local authorities and the Scottish Government must take urgent action to make our schools properly safe, and to ensure that all staff and pupils can work without fear of assault or injury.”
READ MORE: Free school meals expansion helps feed record number of children in 2023
The EIS also called for additional resources, including additional staffing, to support pupils who are likely to exhibit distressed or violent behaviour.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland’s schools should be safe learning environments for all – violence and abusive behaviour towards pupils or staff is completely unacceptable.
“The Education Secretary has been clear that more needs to be done to address incidents of behaviour, which is why the Scottish Government is bringing forward a National Action Plan – this will set out a range of actions needed at both local and national level.
“We are committed to working with trade union partners on the development of this plan.
“On safety more widely, local authorities have a statutory responsibility to protect pupils and teachers. Where a local authority does not comply with health and safety legislation, it is for the Health and Safety Executive to determine what enforcement action is appropriate and proportional to the health and safety risk.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel