Teachers 'constantly on alert' as violence soars in Scotland's classrooms

Teachers say they live in a constant state of alert as violence in Scotland’s classrooms continues to rise.

New figures obtained by STV News show the majority of local authorities in the north of Scotland have seen a surge in violent attacks from pupils towards staff in the last three years, including physical and verbal incidents.

It comes as violent crimes committed by children have hit a record high.

The 2025 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) shows the proportion of violent offenders under the age of 16 is at its highest recorded level.

Incidents where the perpetrator was under 16 and took place at the victim’s workplace accounted for nearly a quarter of all violent crimes in 2023/24 – up from 5% in both 2019/20 and 2021/22 – with most offences carried out against education and care workers.

For teachers like Laura, not her real name, this is the everyday reality in some schools in Scotland.

Laura said: “I have quite a lot of nightmares about specific incidents and about being back at work and being frightened. I’m really anxious already about going back to work.”

“With violence against staff on the rise, many are considering leaving the profession all together.

“Being hit, pushed, headbutted, scratched, bitten, kicked on a daily basis. I’m covered in bruises most term time. I have to say, I’m looking at other careers, which is heartbreaking.”

Eight out of ten council areas in the north report rising number of violent incidents STV News

Eight of the ten councils that responded reported a rise in violence.

The majority saw an increase in physical and verbal attacks.

The highest number of incidents was in Aberdeen (1,214) at more than 1,200 – that was a 70% increase over the course of three years.

In Moray (1,058) there were more than a 1,000 in the last academic year. Although that was down from the previous year, it’s still an overall increase of 172% since 2022.

Attacks in schools in Shetland rose by 78.5% between 2022 to 2024 from 70 to 125.

However in Angus, there was no increase in the past two years, with 372 incidents each year between 2023 and 2025.

‘We’re being abused every day’

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: f79e850388a7178973a6f9d17bbbf132-1755511895.jpeg

Unions says the findings are alarming – and warn teachers safety is at risk.

Scotland’s national union official for NASUWT, Mike Corbett, said: “Regrettably, if you look at that incident where the bus driver was stabbed by a teenager, that could easily happen at a school.

“There needs to be something there so pupils themselves say ‘I’m not going to get away with that, I’m not going to be allowed to indulge in unacceptable behaviour, I’m not going to be allowed to be violent.'”

Kim has worked in the profession for almost a decade, but she says at her current school in Aberdeen some classes are just about surviving.

She said: “You’re constantly on alert, you’re constantly looking out for the next attack, because you know it’s going to come.

“We’re not overstating it, this is every single day we’re going in and we’re being verbally and physically abused, and no one cares.”

She blames a rise in misogyny for some of the behaviour – and a lack of consequences.

NASUWT's Mike Corbett — NASUWT’s Mike Corbett STV News

“Two boys marched into my classroom and basically squared up to me. I told them to get out of my classroom, they did, and I closed my door.

“They then proceeded to kick my door down. We’ve had instances where we’ve had fireworks fired at teachers inside the school building.”

The Scottish Government introduced guidance to tackle rising levels of violence and aggression earlier this year.

Cabinet secretary for education Jenny Gilruth said: “In the budget, we’ve managed to provide local authorities with an additional £186.5m to restore teacher numbers.

“Alongside that, an additional £29m to restore teacher numbers, which is hugely important to my mind. You have to get the staffing right if you’re going to meet challenges in our schools. A properly resourced classroom is fundamental to tackling these challenges particularly post pandemic.”

But unions say there’s much more work to be done.

EIS branch secretary Ron Constable said: “We need to make sure there is resources in terms of teachers, that we’re still employing teachers and that the one and a half hours non-class contact time is introduced for all teachers.

“This would mean employing more teachers and that there is ASN specialist teachers provision and that there are trained PSAs in place as well.”