Teachers Need to be Safeguarded from Violent and Aggressive Students
Recent statistics show that there is an increased need for safety precautions for teachers from students with violent pasts. The call comes from Jim Quigley, member of the teachers’ union NASUWT (and also a health and safety advisor). His opinion is that because of such students, teachers are not safe. He said that preventive measures should be taken to deal with such pupils, and teachers should be trained to handle such situations.
The statement comes after a student, with a history of violence and aggression, attacked a teacher from Kingswood Community School. Mr. Colin Adams has taught ICT at the school for the past eight years. The accident took place when 51-year-old Adams was going to meet with fellow teachers to decide on disciplinary action for the violent behaviour of the student. Scarcely had he begun to move that the 12-year-old student jumped on his back and tried to strangulate him, as he lay unconscious.
The attack on Mr. Adams could have been avoided had the Head Teacher of the school informed the teachers about a violent incident that had taken place just the previous week, wherein the same student had attacked a library security guard.
Jane McCool from Thompsons Solicitors, who served as Mr. Adams’ advisor, has said that violence in schools is unacceptable and if there are such students then proper safety measures should be taken by the management to ensure the safety of the teachers.
Any company that is involved in work where employees could potentially be injured must make themselves fully aware of the legal implications and training available to avoid the wrath of the HSE and the courts. Protect your company with accredited health and safety courses such as the nebosh distance learning course offered by Workplace Law Training.
Mr. Colin has had to take ill health retirement from Kingswood, as the incident has left him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A compensation of £275,000 has been awarded to him, while the student was prosecuted and has pleaded guilty to Actual Bodily Harm.