§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on their responsibility to pursue action against an individual who carries out a violent attack on a member of their staff; [136416]
(2) how many UK teachers have reported a violent attack upon their person by pupils in each of the last 10 years; [136429]
(3) what action the Government are taking to reduce the level of violent attacks upon teachers. [136430]
227W
§ Mr. Ivan LewisI deplore any attacks on teachers or other local education authority staff. They have a right to work in conditions free from intimidation and violence.
The number of serious injuries to school teachers in Great Britain caused by physical violence reported to the Health and Safety Executive is as follows:
- 1996/97—83
- 1997/98—119
- 1998/99—124
- 1999/2000—135
- 2000/01—135
- 2001/02—110.
These figures cover injuries resulting in more than three days' absence from work. They are not available for earlier years.
Last year we published "A legal toolkit for schools", which provides advice to schools and local education authorities on legal remedies that are available when school staff experience problems with violent parents. Some of these remedies are also available when dealing with violent pupils. Earlier this year we published "Improving Behaviour and Attendance: Guidance on Exclusion from Schools and Pupil Referral Units", which makes clear that head teachers can permanently exclude pupils responsible for violence. In addition, the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill will enable LEAs to apply for court-imposed Parenting Orders for parents whose children have been excluded from school for serious misbehaviour. Breach of the Order will be an offence punishable by a fine of up to £1,000.