Rise in attacks in North East schools

Oct 31 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

MORE than 50 attacks take place in North East schools every week, new figures have revealed. The increased violence comes after it was revealed that hundreds of dangerous weapons have been used in attacks in schools in the Northumbria Police force area.

The number of assaults is on the increase – in the 2006/07 school year 2,730 pupils were victims of assaults in schools in the region, up 3% on the previous year.

And over the last three years, more than 350 weapons have been confiscated by police officers after being used in violence, including samurai swords, an axe, scalpels, screwdrivers, knives, knuckle dusters and even a nunchuku (martial arts weapon).

Air weapons and imitation firearms, have also been used and seized by Northumbria Police in the force area of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.

The figures were revealed last night by the Conservative Party, which said it would change the law to give schools greater powers to exclude unruly pupils.

Last night, Shadow children’s secretary Michael Gove said: “This is further evidence of the lack of discipline in our schools. It is vital that teachers are given control over the classroom so they can deal with bad behaviour before it escalates into violence.

“We will change the law to give teachers unequivocal powers to maintain discipline. Heads need the power to expel children who are violent to others without the possibility of seeing that child returned to the school.”

Among the proposals from the Tories are:

:: An end to the right to appeal against exclusion to an independent appeals panel

:: Abolishing rules which impose a financial penalty on schools which exclude pupils

:: Abolishing the legal requirement of 24-hours legal notice for detentions.

Teaching unions last night broadly welcomed the proposals. Vince Allen, North East representative for the National Union of Teachers, said: “We would like to see heads trusted to make these decisions. They are not cavalier and do not exclude pupils without good reason. It is also important that schools do not suffer financially when they exclude pupils.”

However the National Association of Headteachers said they would not want to see an end to the appeals process for expulsion. A spokesman said: “There needs to be some kind of independent appeal for children who are suspended.”

A Department for Children Schools and Families spokesperson said: “These figures show that teachers are using the powers we have given them to give short, sharp shocks to control discipline. Every single one of these suggestions is either in train, already done, or unwanted and unneeded by teachers.”

Weapons used in schools in North East districts

Page 2: Minority problem, plus a table showing types of weapon used and frequency >>