School staff who suffered injuries and illnesses including a teacher who contracted leptospirosis from a rat infestation and another who was hit by a toaster and chair have received a share of nearly £15.5m in compensation, the NASUWT union has revealed.
The details emerge ahead of the union's annual conference in Birmingham. The teacher who fell ill from rats at their school secured a six-figure out-of-court settlement after the infection caused headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and physical and mental weakness. Another teacher, who was struck by a toaster and chair before being punched and kicked while attempting to remove a pupil from the classroom, received a six-figure payment after suffering injuries requiring surgery and psychiatric support.
In a further case, the NASUWT fought a successful disability discrimination claim for a teacher left disabled after a whiteboard fell on them. The teacher was denied access to a suitable toilet and moved to a new role on a reduced salary, with the claim settled for a five-figure sum.
Matt Wrack, the union's general secretary, said: “If all employers took seriously their duty of care and legal responsibilities to their employees we would not be forced to pursue legal remedies to get redress for members.” He added that behind each case is a teacher who has suffered months or years of distress, with some unable to return to teaching.
Meanwhile, at the National Education Union (NEU) conference in Brighton, members voted for a national campaign to reduce violence in schools. Delegates described incidents including a teacher being beaten to the ground and kicked 14 times. Charlotte Lawrence from Portsmouth said she spends more time managing dangerous behaviour than delivering education, while Daniel Kebede, NEU general secretary, noted that disruptive behaviour is a major concern due to lack of staffing and support.
