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Chamber and committees

Question reference: S5W-06897

  • Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Date lodged: 6 February 2017
  • Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 February 2017

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that there has been a 50% increase in the number of violent assaults carried out by school pupils in the last 12 months, and that Glasgow has the highest number of violent incidents.


Answer

The Scottish Government takes the issue of violence in schools very seriously and any attack on a teacher is one too many. The Scottish Government is committed to working with our partners to continue to improve relationships and behaviour in schools.

We recognise that any violence towards staff or pupils is unacceptable and we are working with schools and local authorities to actively tackle serious indiscipline and violence.

The latest Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research did not indicate significant issues with violence in schools and showed that the overwhelming majority of staff found pupils well behaved.

Scottish Government are investing significantly in various violence reduction and preventative approaches, such as Mentors in Violence Prevention and No Knives Better Lives. Children and young people across Scotland through schools, stakeholders and local authorities are also involved in the implementation of wider strategies to promote positive relationships and behaviour.