Teachers are ‘living in fear of being abused’ a union has claimed, after exclusive data revealed that the behaviour of some South Yorkshire school pupils has reached crisis point. 

The number of children suspended for physical and verbal abuse of teachers has skyrocketed since the pandemic – with thousands sent home for attacking staff, according to figures released by the Department of Education, after a Freedom of Information request. 

In Rotherham, the main reason for student exclusions in 2023-24 was physical or verbal abuse of adults, a shift from previous years when ‘threat to other pupils’ was the leading cause.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, The Teacher’s Union (NASUWT) General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “This data is alarming but sadly not surprising. 

“We have been witnessing a growing crisis in anti-social behaviour and violence in schools which has worsened considerably since the pandemic. 

“No teacher should expect to go to work and be punched, kicked or spat at. However, many teachers tell us they live in fear of violence and abuse.” 

Between September 2023 and October 2024, 864 pupils were suspended  in Rotherham for verbal abuse or threats against adults, with some students facing multiple suspensions.

A spokesperson for Rotherham Council said: “We take all reports of physical or verbal abuse seriously and aim to support teachers in every way possible.

“We strongly encourage teachers to report any abuse to their schools designated leadership team, then contact their Local Authority Designated Officer if they feel the issue has not been dealt with.”

Local Authority Designated Officers offer advice and guidance for any adults working with children, including teachers and foster carers, you can contact their team on: 01709 336491.

In Doncaster, Sheffield, and Barnsley, the main reason for suspensions is still ‘repeated disruption’, but incidents of staff abuse have risen significantly since the pandemic. 

In Sheffield, suspensions for abuse of adults have increased by 546 between 2019/20 and 2023/24. 

Doncaster has seen a rise of 330 suspensions for similar reasons, while Barnsley has experienced an increase of 225 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

A primary school teacher based in South Yorkshire, who has chosen to stay anonymous, said: “A really arrogant culture has grown up. Pupils show little respect for staff and are unaffected by sanctions.”

The teacher feels that families have pushed responsibility for behaviour completely onto schools.

“The notion of working together to solve behavioural problems is absent.”

According to a survey released by UNISON on 1 December 2024, more than one in three (35%) support staff witnessed verbal abuse in schools across Yorkshire and Humberside every day. 

UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary Karen Loughlin said: “This paints a bleak picture of an underappreciated workforce facing daily abuse.

“Nobody should face abuse or witness violence at work. Sadly, for a staggering number of support staff in schools in Yorkshire and Humberside, that is their daily reality.” 

The teacher said: “We have policies in place in school to protect all parties but in many ways this is skewed in favour of the children.  Parents are pandered to, and often, treatment of staff is unfair. 

“It is not always clear who to ring for help in an emergency and responses are not always immediate. I have had to send a child to ask nearby staff for assistance with aggressive pupils as my classroom is geographically isolated.”

Dr Roach said: “Failure to tackle violence and abuse in schools will have long-lasting consequences for teacher recruitment and retention, and for the education of children and young people.” 

Dr Roach also expressed his concerns about children being ‘unable to access the help they need’. 

“The lack of appropriate in-school support and long waiting lists to access specialist services are contributing to a behaviour crisis which schools are struggling to contain.

“Instead of giving support to the classroom, teachers are being blamed for poor pupil behaviour whilst many employers fail to act to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff working in schools.” 

NASUWT launched their ‘better deal on behaviour’ campaign over the summer, as a response to what Dr Roach described as ‘an overwhelming number of teachers with concerns about violence in schools’. 

Their survey showed that 90% of teachers reported verbal abuse or violence from pupils. 93% say the number of pupils verbally abusing staff members has increased.

The campaign encourages the government to recognise that school staff need more support, and encourages teachers and school leaders to speak up when they feel school practices fall short of ‘the standards of behaviour’ that teachers can reasonably expect. 

Dr Roach said: “Unfortunately, at times like this, unions are more needed than ever. At The Teachers’ Union, we will continue to take all steps possible to protect our members from violence and abuse at work. We want to see the government doing everything it can to ensure all schools and colleges are safe, and we will push for orderly environments for teachers to teach and for children and young people to learn.”