School staff facing abuse daily - survey finds

More than one in three (35%) support staff experience verbal abuse every day in schools across Yorkshire and Humberside, a survey has found.

The study, released by trade union Unison, questioned almost 800 school workers across the region between 10 and 25 October, including teaching assistants, caterers and cleaners.

Findings included 34% of school support staff experiencing pushing, mainly from pupils, on a daily basis, with 26% witnessing daily kicking and the throwing of objects and furniture.

The Department for Education (DfE) said school staff "should feel and supported" and it expected school leaders to "take appropriate action to tackle any issues".

Staff working in primary schools made up 64% of respondents, with 23% from secondary schools and 1% were staff working with children in both primary and secondary schools.

It also included 11% of staff from special schools and 1% from pupil referral units.

Data released on 21 November found the number of school suspensions in primary schools had almost doubled since before the pandemic.

The number of pupils permanently excluded has also risen by a third, according to the DfE.

Mike Short, head of education at Unison said: "Our members don't do these jobs just for money they do it because they love them, but the amount of verbal abuse that are daily occurrences is really troubling.

"We don't blame children, young people and learners for this. The problem is the system."

Unison Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary Karen Loughlin said: "Nobody should face abuse or witness violence at work.

"Sadly, for a staggering number of support staff in schools in Yorkshire and Humberside that is their daily reality.

"Tackling bad behaviour in school requires funding and extra staff, but this survey shows the opposite has happened in recent years."

A DfE spokesperson said: "School support staff make a huge contribution to children’s education and the smooth running of our schools, and are crucial to our mission to drive high and rising standards across our schools, helping all children achieve and thrive.

"All school staff should feel safe and supported at work, and confident in being able to report concerns – and we expect school leaders as employers to take appropriate action to tackle any issues that are raised.

"We recently reinstated the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, which aims to make sure they are properly valued and respected as the professionals they are."