A teaching union have said that they raised "repeated concerns" about pupil abuse in Scots schools before staff at Johnstone High School were allegedly attacked by a former pupil. Emergency services were called after three teachers and a student were injured following the alleged attack shortly before 11am on Friday.
Teaching union NASUWT have told the Record that they regularly highlighted issues surrounding "the vulnerability of teachers to violence and verbal abuse from pupils". The union says school staff across Scotland have reported to them that the prevalence of poor behaviour "appears to have increased since the pandemic".
In "too many cases" teachers do not feel adequately protected at work, according to NASUWT. The teaching union met at a conference in Aberdeen on Friday to discuss several issues, including teacher safety.
A 16-year-old girl, believed to be a former pupil, was quickly traced and has now been charged following the alleged attack at Johnstone High. No weapons were used during the alleged incident.
The three female teachers - aged 59, 48, 34 - were taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley for treatment to minor injuries. A 14-year-old pupil also sustained minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.
Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official, told the Record: “While the full circumstances of this incident are yet to be made public, we have raised repeated concerns about the vulnerability of teachers to violence and verbal abuse from pupils. Teachers have reported to us that the prevalence of poor behaviour appears to have increased since the pandemic and that in too many cases they do not feel adequately protected at work.”
Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the school remained open following the alleged assault and that senior staff were providing support to any who needed it. Earlier today, a spokesperson for the local authority said: “There was an incident at Johnstone High School today involving a former pupil. A pupil and three teachers were injured and received appropriate medical treatment.
“Police Scotland attended immediately and the individual involved has been traced, with enquiries ongoing. The school continued to operate as normal and senior staff are providing any support needed to staff and pupils impacted by this incident.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.45am on Friday, May 12, 2023, police received a report of a disturbance at a school in the Johnstone area of Renfrewshire. Officers attended and four females aged 59, 48, 34 and 14 years were found to have sustained injuries as a result of the incident.
“The three woman aged 59, 48 and 34 years were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. A 16-year-old girl has been charged in connection with the incident and will be reported to the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration."
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