Teachers and unions have warned that many more incidents of violence take place in classrooms than reported

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth told MSPs last week that incidents from the white-board jungle could be attributed not so much to teachers not having time to report them but to them protecting the public image of their school in order that they don’t get a bad name.

She told the Tory MSP Miles Briggs who spoke about the time that teachers might take in reporting and recording incidents.

Ms Gilruth added: “I know from my experience that there is often a reticence among staff about reporting, because they are concerned about how their school might be perceived. We in the Government should reflect on that.

Kenneth Gibson said he had noted that but wanted more details: “I note that the cabinet secretary referred to the further £28 million for additional support needs teachers and £1 million to aid their retention and recruitment.

“Does she anticipate an improvement in classroom discipline, which will better enable ASN pupils, who might otherwise struggle, to access and engage with the curriculum?”

Jenny Gilruth maintained: “The Government is absolutely determined to increase teacher numbers in Scotland’s schools, which is why we have reached this agreement.

“I think will make a real difference in our schools, particularly in relation to some post-Covid behaviour and relationship shifts.

“We know that a number of young people have struggled post-Covid with the return to formal education, which has impacted on behaviour and relationships in our classrooms. That is a problem not just in Scotland but across the United Kingdom and globally.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) responded: “Teachers and unions have warned ministers that many more incidents of violence take place in our classrooms than are reported, because teachers do not have the time to report those incidents.

“The minister references the action plan, which had two key points—the lack of options for how to manage the behaviour of a small core group of pupils and the lack of alternative options and resources for pupils for whom mainstream education may not be appropriate. What in the budget will help to address those two things?”

Jenny Gilruth said: “Mr Briggs spoke about the time that teachers might take in reporting and recording incidents. I know from my experience that there is often a reticence among staff about reporting, because they are concerned about how their school might be perceived. We in the Government should reflect on that.

“I was very clear in my update to Parliament in, I think, November 2023 that we wanted consistent and clear recording and reporting of incidents as and when they occur in our schools, because there is currently a level of reticence.

“The action plan sets out a range of different measures in that regard. The additional funding that I spoke to in my previous response for teacher numbers and for ASN specialists, including things such as behaviour, is fundamental to addressing the issues that Mr Briggs raises.”

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) added another dimension to the debate. He said: “I am concerned about the level of violence and harassment against girls at school, but I am also concerned about the low take-up of the equally safe programme.

“Take-up was supposed to be up at around half of all schools by 2020, but it is at only a third of all schools. What is the cabinet secretary doing to improve the uptake of that programme so that we can tackle violence against girls?”

Jenny Gilruth told him: “The member raises an important point, which was reported in the national press over the recess. I share his concerns, and I have asked officials for further advice. The equally safe strategy works alongside the gender-based violence framework, which was launched last March. It is important that those complementary pieces of work act in tandem to tackle issues relating to misogyny.

“We know that there have been such issues, particularly post-pandemic. The Government’s research, which was published in late 2023, showed that there has been an increase in misogynistic behaviour, particularly from male pupils, which is often directed at their female teachers.

“It is hugely important that those issues are addressed. I have asked for further advice, and I would be more than happy to share some of that with Mr Rennie. It is important that all schools are aware of the different approaches that are at their disposal, either through the equally safe work or through the gender-based violence framework.”