Lack of training over classroom violence horrifies union official

Teachers are given “completely inadequate” training to deal with classroom violence, a union official has warned.

Jane Peckham, from the NASUWT union, said she was “horrified” to learn that universities offered as little as one 20-minute session on tackling aggressive or disruptive behaviour from pupils.

Ms Peckham was asked during a fringe event at the SNP conference about the training that teachers receive to deal with violence and abuse they could face in the classroom.

“I find the level of training currently is completely inadequate,” she said. “I don’t want to create the impression that our schools are violent places, they certainly are not.

“But teachers need the basic tools to be able to manage a very diverse classroom full of pupils and then also to have the confidence to be dealing with these things.

“I have to say that I haven’t seen any renewed evidence of that being done at initial teacher stage.”

She added there is a “real ad hoc approach” to support for those already on the career path.

Iain Gray, Scottish Labour’s education spokesman, said the education secretary must act on the union’s concerns as a “matter of urgency”.

A spokeswoman for the General Teaching Council for Scotland said that training “first and foremost” focuses on skills for teaching.

But she said the training “also ensures teachers are aware of challenges they might face in the classroom” and the code of conduct includes guidance.

“Teachers face different situations depending on a range of factors and it is difficult to train people for every possible situation,” she added.

A Scottish Government spokesman said they will publish new guidance for teachers on violence and weapons in schools in the spring.

“While universities are responsible for the delivery of Initial Teacher Education, the Scottish Government takes the issue of violence in schools very seriously,” she said.