Pupils’ violence against teachers cost £450,000
Staff left injured by vicious assaults claim thousands in compensation
8k ØÈÎ }£k` ØÈÎ }£k ASSAULTS on teachers by violent pupils have contributed to compensation payouts of more than £450,000 in the last year.
The attacks, some of which resulted in serious injuries to teaching staff, made up £76,877 of the total £469,758 claimed by union the EIS for members, with the remainder being awarded to teachers injured in slips and trips. One assault was so severe that a teacher had to have surgery after their kneecap was kicked off when a pupil lashed out. They were awarded £12,452.
Another was granted compensation of £45,000 after being repeatedly punched and kicked by a pupil, leaving them with injured ribs.
A teacher who suffered back and hip injuries after a pupil launched a flying kick attack was given a payout of £17,125.
And payment of £2300 was made to a teacher who suffered headaches, sleep disturbance and panic attacks after a parent shouted and swore in their face.
The highest single payout of £220,000 went to a teacher who slipped and fell on a wet floor in a dark corridor, suffering a fractured hip and other serious injuries.
Compensation of £19,907 was awarded to a teacher who suffered concussion after a shelf fell on their head.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “While the EIS will always stand up for our members and pursue appropriate compensation for injuries suffered at work, our desire is to eventually report a zero figure for compensation due to the elimination of these types of work-related injuries.
“This year’s figure demonstrates there is still a long way to go towards the aim of eliminating workplace injuries in our schools, colleges and universities.
“The most common cause of injuries continues to be accidents such as slips, trips and falls.
“These types of incidents are entirely avoidable with correct adherence to health and safety procedures.”