As violence against teachers in the South East have grown, educational professionals and authorities have sounded alarm bells. Marie Gentles, a former teacher and education consultant, emphasized the need to understand the underlying reasons behind such aggressive behaviors in schools. In the 2023/24 academic year, government figures laid bare a shocking 5,504 suspensions between Kent, Surrey and Sussex. This figure represents an enormous increase from 4,365 suspensions for pupil attacks on adults the year before this.
Councils in the region have responded to rising incidents of school violence by paying out tens of thousands of pounds in compensation to injured staff. This perilous pace illustrates an even deeper crisis unraveling inside our schools. Teachers are facing more violent physical attacks from their own students.
Matt Paterson, headteacher of Shears Green Junior School in Gravesend, Kent, was alarmed. He noted that such violent incidents have been growing more popular in recent years. He noticed an increase in what he termed “distressed behaviors” in students. He proposed that too many of our kids are not able to cope with what’s going on in their lives.
The NASUWT teachers’ union describes the state of affairs as “horrifying.” General secretary Matt Wrack revealed that members have been bitten, kicked and punched whilst carrying out their work. Serious injuries suffered by teachers range from serious fractures to loss of consciousness. Wrack noted that the issue is becoming increasingly dire at the high school level. It’s on the rise in elementary schools.
“It’s horrifying to hear that multiple teachers in the South East have reported experiencing serious injuries,” – Matt Wrack
To shed light on these experiences and challenges, a group of teachers have shared their stories. One anonymous teacher recounted the shocking experience of the student who slapped his teacher across the face. One other teacher poured out their concern of being attacked with lawn chairs in these scuffles.
“I saw children trash a whole office or a whole classroom, throwing chairs and tables around,” – Former teaching assistant from Sussex
Given the painful realities, Wrack urged focused and immediate action to assist teachers and students. He supported increasing the number of counselors in schools and improving alternative provisions for students with more complex needs.
“We need counsellors in every school and an increase in alternative provision for pupils with higher needs,” – Matt Wrack
Marie Gentles communicated her perspective on the matter. During her testimony, she argued that much student violence may be caused by unmet needs associated with special education needs and mental health issues.
“I do think some of it is linked to unmet need around special educational needs and mental health,” – Marie Gentles
The Department for Education (DfE) has echoed these concerns, stating that “nobody should face violence or abuse in the workplace, including our incredible school staff who are vital to improving life chances for all children.”
Shears Green Junior School isn’t waiting around. They’re establishing a farm onsite to improve student development through experiential learning models. Paterson is convinced these programs are the key to addressing behavioral issues. These arcades give students a physical place to channel their energy and emotions.
The explosion of these suspensions and incidents of violence on students’ first day of school underscores the dire situation that educators in the South East are grappling with. The perfect storm of rising unmet needs among students and growing classroom aggression demands urgent action from policymakers and education leaders.
