Angus pupils abusing teaching staff online

Aspate of “deeply distressing” online abuse towards Angus teaching staff has become so severe that pupils have been thrown out of school.

Figures released by Angus Council show an upturn in physical and verbal assaults as well as a new trend in youngsters sending offensive and threatening messages.

One primary school pupil and three secondary pupils have been temporarily excluded in the last four years for such behaviour.

Last year, a high school pupil was excluded for slandering a staff member online.

Two years earlier a teenager was caught stalking a teacher.

Angus Council did not respond to a request for comment on the figures , released in response to a Freedom of Information request.

However, Patrick Roach, general secretary of teachers’ union NASUWT, said online abuse was on the rise everywhere.

He said: “The frequency of teachers reporting that they are subject to abuse and harassment by pupils though social media and other technologies is deeply disturbing.

“The impact on teachers is misery, humiliation, ill health, loss of confidence and blighted careers” he said. “It is important that schools take this seriously and educate pupils on the impact that online abuse can have on its recipients.”

Unison Scotland, which represents support workers in schools, said more pupils were contacting staff inappropriately through social media.

Lorraine Thomson, who chairs the Education Issues Group for the union, said: “We know it’s common that teachers and staff are now subject to abuse through social media platforms.

“Schools need to have a policy to tackle it.

“Nobody should go to their work feeling threatened.

“Classroom assistants actually provide the majority of support for children and they don’t get adequate training or pay for doing so.”

The majority of exclusions in recent years have been due to violent and aggressive behaviour with a significant increase in such incidents in primary schools.

Items used in assaults have included water bottles, food items, toys, pencils, keys, lanyards and jotters and books, as well as sticks or stones.

Various high-profile bullying incidents in Angus schools have also been reported.

In January parents called for action after a girl was filmed being dragged along a corridor by her hair at Carnoustie High School.

Ms Thomson, who has worked as an early years worker and family support worker, added :“The investigation into bad behaviour itself can be very stressful. Staff are asked to provide evidence and prove what happened and that isn’t always easy.

“We want all pupils including those with additional support needs to access the school environment and reach their full potential.

“However, this is very difficult if they are not getting underlying support to make sure they can stay engaged.

“You need the right resources to meet the individual’s needs. Rising physical violence is down to a lack of support both socially and within education.”