More than 7,000 attacks on Leeds school staff in five years

A leading education union chief has said he is “very concerned” over the statistics, which appear to show increases in the number of physical attacks on school staff in the workplace between 2014 and 2019, according to data obtained following a freedom of information request.

Leeds City Council claimed the rise was likely due to better reporting, adding that the number of attacks on council staff as a whole has reduced over the years.

A total of 7,361 attacks on staff were recorded in Leeds schools between April 2014 and March 2019, rising from 1,265 in 14/15 to 1,669 in 18/19, the data shows.

The council had pointed out the statistics include both council school staff and staff employed at schools where the local authority is not the employer, such as trust schools and Roman Catholic schools

It added that the increases may be due to the increased reporting of incidents, stating: “Over the years the data would appear to show an increase in the number of incidents, however this may be partly, or wholly, due to schools becoming more efficient at providing the information and the increased expectation from Leeds City Council that they will do so.

“Many of these incidents, whilst technically assaults, would have resulted in no physical harm to the member of staff concerned.”

However, Kevin Courtney, joint General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said he was concerned at the apparent increases, adding schools needed to have effective policies to deal with such problems

He said: “The NEU is very concerned about the increases in the number of assaults on teachers and support staff in schools.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their workplace and while the majority of schools and colleges are safe places for both students, teachers and staff where problems do arise schools need to have in place policies that ensure abusive behaviour is tackled quickly and effectively.

“Education staff need to feel genuinely supported by school management, and schools need enough resources to run that system – but cuts to school funding are not helping that. Many support services and staff that were previously in place to address behaviour problems have been lost. This is yet another example of the effects of underfunding on our schools and colleges and one which should be seriously addressed. “

The data sent by the council also included statistics on attacks on other Leeds City Council members of staff, showing another 636 attacks on council staff from other departments took place between 2015 and 2019.

Leeds City Council deputy leader James Lewis said: “The safety of our staff is very important to us. Overall, the number of verbal and physical assaults on Leeds City Council staff has started to decline. Assaults on staff in schools have plateaued over the past three years and we are determined to reduce this number through a range of strategies.

“We run a nationally accredited programme of practical training for school staff, which promotes de-escalation strategies and the reduction of risk, and any member of council staff, whether employed in schools or elsewhere, is offered professional support if they are subjected to any type of assault or witness it taking place.

“In other areas of the council, changes in practice, improvements in training and awareness for staff along with a proactive approach to looking at new technology to further protect our staff (such as body cameras for enforcement officers and improved security measures at public facing buildings) have all helped in reducing the number of assaults and we are committed to continuing work with trade unions to further improve employee health, safety and wellbeing.”

Physical and verbal attacks on school staff in Leeds

01/04/2014 – 31/03/2015 = 1265

01/04/2015 – 31/03/2016 = 1315

01/04/2016 – 31/03/2017 = 1583

01/04/2017 – 31/03/2018 = 1529

01/04/2018 – 31/03/2019 = 1669