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It's like Beirut on a bad day: Leeds education worker
A DESPAIRING education worker today lifted the lid on what he says is an alarming culture of violence at a Leeds school.
The staff member at the Roundhay-based Elmete Special Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) told the Yorkshire Evening Post he faces almost daily assaults by pupils.
But he claims little is being done to stem the tide of violence and that teachers and other staff are simply expected to accept it as "part of the job".
His revelations follow a YEP report on the numbers of teaching staff being seriously assaulted in Leeds schools.
In the space of two years, 159 made reports to police that they had been attacked by pupils.
The article prompted teachers' union, the NUT, to call for greater action from education bosses.
Today, the staff member at Elmete – who deals with children with behavioural problems rather than those with learning difficulties – today added his voice to that demand.
He said: "It is really bad – like Beirut on a bad day.
"And so much of it goes unreported. If you have a kid who is lashing out, as they regularly do, you know if you report it that you will have three different forms to fill in. You would end up doing that several times a day.
"If you get the police involved, that's your night over what with being interviewed and filling in forms and statements.
"When you work in a place like that you do accept that it will have its challenges.
"But you don't get support from the management. You're just expected to tolerate it."
He also questioned whether there was a long-term future for SILCs, a number which opened in Leeds around four years ago to replace old-style special schools and to tackle general bad behaviour.
The staff member, who asked not to be named, added: "I don't think the SILCs are working. They taxi these kids in from across the city and lump them all together.
"I'm not sure that is the right thing to do. Secondary school teachers can and do teach children with a range of abilities. The idea that specialist behaviour schools are providing specialist provision is a myth."
Chris Edwards, chief executive of Education Leeds, said they took the wellbeing of staff and pupils in schools very seriously. "We have procedures to make sure that any reported incidents of violence are investigated, and that staff are supported," he said.
"BESD SILC works with some young people who have very complex needs, that can include challenging behaviour. At their most recent inspection, Ofsted recognised behaviour at the school is much improved."
Jeri Hughes, deputy principal of the BESD SILC, said all incidents in which staff have been injured were reported.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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