Assault lies are a fact of life

3rd November 2000, 12:00am

Share

Assault lies are a fact of life

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/assault-lies-are-fact-life
TEACHERS can expect to face two malicious allegations of assault against a pupil during their careers, according to the National Union of Teachers Cymru.

Dr Heledd Hayes, the union’s education officer, said: “We want new teachers to prepare for the worst. We are not trying to scare them but unfortunately it is an aspect of life in schools.”

More than 1,200 cases have been dealt with by the union in Wales in the past eight years. Only 4 per cent resulted in a conviction. No further action was taken in three-quarters of cases.

The ordeal facd by teachers accused by pupils has been highlighted by the case of Monmouthshire headteacher Marjorie Evans, who fought a 13-month battle to clear her name after being accused of slapping a 10-year-old.

In the wake of the case, the NUT has threatened industrial action, including strike action, if heads fail to exclude permanently any pupils whose behaviour requires them to be physically restrained.

New guidance on how to deal with unacceptable pupil behaviour has been distributed to the union’s 202,000 members in England and Wales.


Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared