Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils have been suspended from (a) primary and (b) secondary school due to (i) verbal abuse directed at and (ii) a physical assault on a teacher in each year since 2004.
The number of pupils that have been suspended for verbal abuse of staff or physical assault against staff in primary and secondary schools from 2005-06 is set out below.
Table 1. Cases of exclusion in primary schools due to (i) verbal abuse directed at and (ii) a physical assault against staff since 2005-06.
Year | Verbal abuse of staff | Physical assault against staff |
2005-06 | 1,791 | Not available |
2006-07 | 2,006 | Not available |
2007-08 | 1,787 | 881 |
2008-09 | 1,633 | 901 |
2009-10 | 1,419 | 889 |
2010-11 | 1,368 | 874 |
2012-13 | 1,298 | 961 |
2014-15 | 1,341 | 1,279 |
2016-17 | 1,563 | 1,518 |
2018-19 | 1,260 | 1,261 |
2020-21 | 583 | 533 |
2022-23 | 739 | 856 |
Table 2. Cases of exclusion in secondary schools due to (i) verbal abuse directed at and (ii) a physical assault against staff since 2005-06.
Year | Verbal abuse of staff | Physical assault against staff |
2005-06 | 8,472 | Not available |
2006-07 | 9,123 | Not available |
2007-08 | 8,202 | 517 |
2008-09 | 6,870 | 382 |
2009-10 | 6,161 | 380 |
2010-11 | 5,379 | 315 |
2012-13 | 4,433 | 320 |
2014-15 | 4,122 | 263 |
2016-17 | 3,648 | 297 |
2018-19 | 3,228 | 344 |
2020-21 | 1,633 | 185 |
2022-23 | 2,511 | 381 |
These statistics include temporary exclusions only. These statistics relate to cases of exclusion so due to pupils being excluded multiple times, some pupils may be double-counted. Where more than one reason in a single case of exclusion is given, those reasons are counted under each relevant category.
Before 2008, data on acts or threats of violence did not distinguish between incidents involving pupils and those involving staff. As a result, exclusion data for physical assaults against staff is unavailable prior to 2008.
The Scottish Government does not hold exclusion data from before 2005-06.
Since 2010-11, the Scottish Government has collected exclusion data biennially, meaning data is only available for odd-numbered years. Data will next be collected and published for the 2024-25 academic year.