Scottish Conservatives Demand Headteacher Authority to Expel Violent Pupils
The Scottish Conservatives have issued a renewed call for headteachers to be granted the power to permanently exclude violent pupils, describing current levels of classroom attacks as "horrific". This demand follows an Educational Institute of Scotland survey revealing that more than a quarter of teachers in Aberdeen were assaulted during the past year, despite existing efforts to address disruptive behaviour.
Survey Reveals Alarming Rates of Teacher Assaults
The EIS survey, which involved approximately 800 members in Aberdeen, documented numerous violent incidents including teachers being struck by objects, kicked, bitten, and spat upon. EIS branch secretary Ron Constable emphasised to the BBC that violence remains a major issue, with teachers experiencing daily assaults such as objects being thrown at them and physical attacks including pushing, punching, slapping, kicking, and biting.
Conservatives Highlight "Violence Epidemic" Across Scotland
Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs stated that these statistics underscore a "violence epidemic" in Scottish schools under the SNP government. He argued that headteachers, rather than council officials, should have the final say on permanent exclusions to effectively tackle the problem. "Our proposal to give headteachers, rather than councils, the power to permanently exclude the most disruptive pupils must be adopted," Briggs asserted.
Contrast with SNP Guidance and Historical Data
SNP education secretary Jenny Gilruth published guidance last year stating that exclusion should be a "last resort" for addressing pupil violence. This approach contrasts sharply with historical data: when the SNP came to power in 2007, there were 164 expulsions that year, yet not a single disruptive pupil was permanently excluded last year despite reports of surging bad behaviour.
Official figures indicate that at least five teachers required medical treatment each working day after being attacked in Scotland's schools over the past six years. Briggs criticised the current situation, noting that "while councils and SNP ministers wring their hands, terrified teachers are literally under attack."
Local and Government Responses
Aberdeen City Council developed an action plan in March 2024 to reduce attacks on teachers after staff raised serious concerns. A council spokesman expressed willingness to meet with EIS colleagues to address the survey findings. Meanwhile, a Scottish Government spokesman reiterated that "exclusions remain an option for headteachers to use," though the Conservatives argue this is insufficient without granting headteachers full authority.
Briggs concluded that the situation in Aberdeen is being replicated across Scotland, calling it "intolerable and cannot continue." The debate centres on whether empowering headteachers with expulsion powers will effectively curb the rising tide of classroom violence and protect educators from daily assaults.
