Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the safety of teachers.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

Teachers should not be subjected to any form of abuse simply for doing their jobs. Any form of violence in school is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

All school employers, including trusts, have a duty to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees.

By law, schools must have a behaviour policy. It is for school leaders to develop and implement behaviour policies that work for their own schools and school community. Any policy must be lawful, proportionate and reasonable, and comply with the school’s duties under the Equality Act 2010, Education and Inspections Act 2006, and Human Rights Act 1998.

While the department expects schools to take immediate and robust action if incidents of violence occur, any decision on how to sanction the pupil involved is a matter for the school. In the most serious cases, suspensions and permanent exclusion may be necessary to ensure that teachers and pupils are protected from disruption and to maintain safe, calm environments. Should the incident constitute a criminal offence, the school should report it to the police.