Kids as ‘young as five’ attacking school staff in wave of violence in Edinburgh

Children as young as five have been reported to be attacking school staff in a concerning wave of violence in Edinburgh, according to a recent investigation. Teachers in the capital city have revealed instances of physical and verbal abuse from students as young as five years old. An anonymous probe conducted by Edinburgh Live exposed a prevalent culture of violence within schools in the city. Educators disclosed that incidents of children hitting staff and throwing chairs have become increasingly common over the years.

One teacher shared, “I often think that if I described things that happen at work, people would never guess I work at a primary school. They would think it was either a young offenders’ home or a prison. The public would be shocked if they knew what was going on in our schools.” Despite these distressing occurrences, teachers attribute the problem not to the children themselves, but rather to the inadequate funding and resources that have left educators overstretched and students without sufficient support.

Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed that there were over three verbal or physical assaults on teachers daily between January to June of 2023 and January to June of 2024. The number of reported assaults in Edinburgh schools rose from 386 in 2023 to 397 in 2024. Over the 211 school days within that period, this translates to more than three assaults occurring each day. However, Phill Pearce, president of EIS Union, believes that the actual incidents of violent abuse are under-reported, indicating that the true figures are likely much higher.

A survey conducted by EIS involving over 1000 Edinburgh teachers indicated that since 2019, 90% of them have encountered some form of verbal or physical abuse. The survey also revealed accounts of challenging experiences, with one teacher describing a class of six and seven-year-olds as the most difficult in her 25-year career, recounting daily violent incidents throughout the term. Additionally, the survey found that 62% of teachers reported experiencing mental health issues or stress due to violence or verbal abuse at school.

Teachers recounted disturbing incidents such as students becoming violent when denied access to an iPad, resulting in physical altercations and injuries to staff. Some teachers have been hospitalised due to incidents involving children as young as five years old. A primary educator shared a harrowing experience where a student bit their hand in frustration, breaking the skin and requiring medical attention. Instances of physical violence have left teachers feeling on edge and ill-equipped to manage classroom behaviour effectively.

The EIS has called for increased funding to support pupils with additional needs and a substantial reduction in teacher workload to address the escalating violence in schools. President of the Edinburgh EIS, Phill Pearce, highlighted the systemic issues contributing to the pervasive violence across the city, citing diminishing support services within schools over the past decade. The lack of resources has left teachers without adequate assistance for students with additional needs, leading to dysregulated and aggressive behaviour among some pupils.

The stressful working environment for teachers, coupled with the rising incidents of violence, has resulted in a concerning acceptance of abuse as “part of the job” in many schools. Educators have expressed feelings of being desensitised to poor pupil behaviour and a lack of recourse to address disrespectful or violent actions. The challenging conditions within schools have taken a toll on the mental health and well-being of teachers, with many reporting feelings of burnout and disillusionment with the profession.

In response to these alarming findings, Edinburgh City Council has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against teachers and staff within schools. The council acknowledged the changing educational landscape due to an increasing number of children with recorded additional support needs, necessitating collaborative efforts with unions and stakeholders to provide adequate support for both students and staff. Measures to improve support services and enhance the safety and well-being of teachers in schools are being prioritised to address the pervasive issue of violence impacting the educational environment in Edinburgh.

Insights and Summary:
The reports of children as young as five engaging in violent behaviour towards school staff in Edinburgh underscore the urgent need to address the underlying challenges within the educational system. The revelations of physical and verbal abuse highlight the detrimental impact of inadequate funding and resources on the safety and well-being of both students and teachers. The alarming frequency of assaults on teachers signals a systemic problem that requires immediate attention and comprehensive solutions. Efforts to enhance support services, reduce teacher workload, and promote a zero-tolerance approach to violence in schools are essential steps towards creating a safe and conducive learning environment for all stakeholders involved. It is imperative for policymakers, educators, and the community to collaborate effectively in addressing the root causes of violence in schools and ensuring the welfare of students and staff remains a top priority.