Commenting on the publication by the Scottish Government of new behaviour guidance for schools focusing on risk assessments and consequences, Matt Wrack, Acting General Secretary of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:

“We welcome the publication of this guidance which has the potential to support positive improvement in managing pupil behaviour in schools.

“What is now critical is that the Scottish Government and COSLA put these words into practice and take the steps to make sure every school has the tools and support needed to turn the tide on the growth of violence and disruption by pupils.

“The message must go out from ministers and employers that every school must take a strong stand against poor and abusive behaviour, that consistent sanctions are enforced where behaviour policies are breached and that staff are backed in tackling verbal and physical abuse.”  
 
Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official, said:

“We have been actively engaged in working with government to produce this guidance and its publication is an important step forward in our continued focus on driving down levels of disruption and violence in our schools.

“The task must now be to improve the processes for reporting and monitoring incidents of violence and abuse in schools and on improving the confidence of teachers to report incidents. This work must go hand in hand with action to ensure that every employer embeds the principles underlying the National Action Plan on Relationships and Behaviour in every school.

“Teachers are not yet seeing enough positive change in their classrooms. Momentum must increase to turn the principles enshrined in this guidance into tangible improvements in behaviour management in every school.”