Ending Violence in Scottish Schools
- Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 22 May 2023
- Motion reference: S6M-09126
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Motions as amended
That the Parliament believes that no pupil, teacher or member of school staff should suffer physical or verbal abuse and that every child and young person has the right to an uninterrupted school day, free from violence and disruption; recognises the impact that violence in schools has on teachers and school staff, especially in relation to retention and mental health; further recognises that evidence relating to violence in schools was last gathered in 2016, and that data collection is now underway, and that this will be published later in 2023 as routine publication returns to pre-pandemic arrangements; recognises that there has been a shift in school culture over the period of the COVID-19 pandemic that affects a wide range of issues, including violence but also extending to issues such as attendance, and agrees that the Scottish Government should work with young people, parents and carers, schools, local authorities and unions to host a summit on the issue of violence in schools, to identify the work that is now needed to ensure that the right national framework for accurately reporting instances of violence and disruption within schools is in place, the right guidance on exclusions laws and policies is available, and the right resources that are needed to support schools, parents and carers and young people themselves are available to assist them in promoting acceptable behaviour and tackling violence and disruption.
Supported by:
Sharon Dowey, Douglas Lumsden
Original motion text
That the Parliament believes that no pupil, teacher or member of school staff should suffer physical or verbal abuse and that every child and young person has the right to an uninterrupted school day, free from violence and disruption; notes the impact that the current escalation of violence in schools has had on the teaching profession, especially in relation to retention and mental health; understands that evidence relating to violence in schools was last gathered in 2016, and therefore calls on the Scottish Government to address this matter urgently by collecting data and publishing findings on a regular basis, and believes that the Scottish Government must work with parents, schools, local authorities and unions to establish a nationwide school violence working group, that will produce a national framework for reporting instances of violence and disruption within schools, update guidance on exclusions laws and policies, ensure pupil support assistants are available and issue materials that will support parents and schools, assisting them in promoting acceptable behaviour and tackling violence and disruption.
Accepted amendments
Ending Violence in Scottish Schools - Amendment - Amendment
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Result 93 for, 18 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Vote Passed
Amendments that have not been voted on
Ending Violence in Scottish Schools - Amendment - Amendment
Submitted by: Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date lodged: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Ending Violence in Scottish Schools - Amendment - Amendment
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date lodged: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, May 24, 2023