Teachers in Bedfordshire speak out about verbal and physical attacks

Teachers say they are increasingly facing physical and verbal attacks from students. A recent BBC survey of 9,000 teachers found that one in five students was hit by a student this year. It has caused many to question their career choice. Two teachers at unnamed secondary schools have shared their experiences with the BBC.

“I love the job. I came to this job because I love seeing that ‘aha moment’ in the classroom,” says Matt, a secondary school teacher in Bedfordshire.

He has been a trained teacher for 29 years.

But he admits that these “aha moments” are increasingly being overshadowed by a worrying trend.

“On the last day of the semester I was attacked from behind – eggs were thrown at me and then I was hit twice in the back of the head,” he said.

“This resulted in me being treated in hospital and then being unable to work for two weeks due to a concussion.”

He said the experience seriously made him question his future in the classroom.

Dr. Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT union, said teachers reported that violence and abuse in schools had “increased remarkably” since the pandemic.

One teacher told BBC News that behavior had become a “never-ending battle”. Another said spitting, cursing and chair throwing occurred regularly.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it had invested £10 million in behavioral centers to support schools.

But Matt believes the problem can often lie closer to home.

“I think the big changes I’ve seen are the increase in students saying ‘no’ and being supported by their parents – and the parents can be aggressive at times,” adds school teacher Matt.

“It almost empowers the kids and strengthens their ability to say no.”

He recalled a parent “yelling and swearing” at a school receptionist.

“I thought – the very behavior you are exhibiting here and now is the very reason your daughter was incarcerated… these are the behaviors that absolutely shock me at times.”

He said anti-social behavior was also creeping in among students, particularly “their lack of respect, use of foul language” and destruction of school property becoming more common.

“After so long in this career – and I’ve loved it – I can see retirement being on the horizon, but… it makes you wonder, actually I just want to feel safe in my job.”

Another teacher, Natalie – not her real name – works at a secondary school and is still recovering from a physical attack that affected her mental health.

She was injured when a student “searched” the school to find another student to argue with, she said.

“He kicked a colleague in the leg, then turned around and punched me in the ribs.

“Seven or eight teachers tried to defuse the situation, but this child would not be calmed down in any way.”

The incident had a long-term psychological impact on Natalie.

“Four months later, I’m still taking antidepressants,” she said.

She was off work for six weeks and then came back but had a panic attack because, as she said, “this fear just came over me – yeah, it was scary”.

It was “very difficult” to get the work done, she said.

“Now I’m back, my head is straighter,” she adds. “These (students) are the minority.”

“And those you get through to – that’s worth everything.”

“When someone runs up to you and shouts your name because they remember you – it’s wonderful to think that you made a difference somewhere in their life, that they still recognize you and are still overjoyed to see you – it’s all about this.” “

Paul McLaughlin, from the National Education Union (NEU), said: “Pupils’ behavioral difficulties are increasing – and this is a concern for us and our members.”

“There is a mental health crisis among young people.

“Our members are many things, but they are not always able to provide students with all the help and support they need – sometimes they need professional mental health care, for example.”

“But they cope admirably with difficult circumstances.”

The DfE previously told the BBC that “decisive action” was being taken to improve pupils’ behavior.

A spokesman said it had doubled its mental health and wellbeing program for school leaders this year, giving it £1.1 million in funding.

In 2020, the DfE launched a £10 million behavior hub program, enabling hundreds of struggling schools to work with others to learn new ways of dealing with poor behavior.