Suffolk teachers worry about recruitment following increase in abuse
A new study has shown more teachers are having to ban parents from their schools due to abusive behaviour
Teachers in Suffolk tell us they have to protect the welfare of students and teachers and will not tolerate abuse in schools.
It comes as a survey across the UK's found 86% of school leaders say parental abuse has increased in the past three years, with teachers facing verbal abuse, threatening behaviour, online abuse and discriminatory language.
"We would never ban anyone unless something quite serious had happened"
We spoke to Rebecca Leek from the Suffolk Primary Headteacher's Association,.
She tells us that she has seen a negative shift in behaviour from some of the parents: "We're always trying to impress upon young children appropriate ways to behave and how to be role models.
"If we have an adult within our school grounds who ends up swearing, using abusive behaviour, or being slightly aggressive and making us feel unsafe, we are very protective about our school environment and so we will occasionally have to write a letter to parents asking them not to come on-site if they behave inappropriately."
Rebecca explained that because of this, teachers have to know how to navigate and de-escalate difficult situations: "One of the things that we do have to exercise increasingly within this landscape is the de-escalation skills.
"There are people that are kind of ready to be aggressive and then are on the attack.
"And we have to work quite hard sometimes to de-escalate and sometimes we can be successful and sometimes we're not successful.
"And that's when we put the boundaries down and say 'I'm really sorry if you're going to speak to us like that, then you'll have to leave the school site'."
The report in more detail
The report by NAHT found the most common form of abuse teachers experienced was verbal, with 85% of teachers surveyed experiencing it in the last year.
- 68% experienced threatening behaviour
- 46% experienced online abuse
- 22% experienced discriminatory language
- One in 10 school leaders said they had suffered physical violence
- 4% experienced spitting
Because of such behaviour, more than two in five school leaders (42%) said they had banned parents from the school site in the past 12 months.
And 32% reported parents to the police according to the report.
The poll exposed reports of trolling on social media and in parent groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, as well as instances of hate campaigns and harassment and intimidation, the union said.
"It isn't surprising that some people hang up their teacher lanyard and leave it be"
Some leaders said the abuse had made them consider quitting the profession, while others were left suffering anxiety, depression and panic attacks.
Rebecca told us that employment in the industry is also a worry for her: "We're always worried about recruitment within education.
"We're continually worried we don't have enough people training to be teachers.
"We have people leaving the profession and we do have not enough people wanting to be school leaders, head teachers of primary schools in particular, it's a real recruitment challenge.
"It is something that can impact head teachers, daily life if there is a culture within the parental community of wanting to continually get at the school leadership and then the trust breaks down.
"It isn't surprising that some people hang up their teacher lanyard and leave it be.
"So yes, it's a real problem."
Message to Parents
Rebecca explained to us, she understands that may parents or guardians may be struggling with lots of other external issues and so the school may be "the last straw" but she's encouraging parents to talk.
"I would ask parents that if they are angry and if they are distressed, then maybe come in and see if they can unpick things in a calm way.
"There's often a reason behind something that needs explaining and then you can actually have a more productive relationship between home and school.
"That is all we want, because it will always benefit the young people."
Secretary of State
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said: "Some of the stories we are hearing about the appalling abuse leaders and their staff are suffering from parents are almost beyond belief.
"These are dedicated professionals, who work hard day in day out to deliver a first-rate education for children in often trying circumstances.
"No-one should have to suffer this sort of abuse in their place of work.
"It causes enormous distress for school leaders, their staff, and sometimes pupils, and is even contributing to decisions by good people to leave the profession at a time schools are facing a severe recruitment and retention crisis - directly affecting the quality of education children receive."
More than a third (35%) of school leaders said they typically experienced abuse from parents every month, and 16% said it happened weekly.
Call to Government
The NAHT is calling for the Government to send a clear signal to parents that abuse is unacceptable in schools.
The union wants ministers to conduct an urgent review of complaints procedures to deter a "vexatious" use of the existing system by parents.
A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: "Nobody should face violence or abuse in the workplace, including our incredible school staff who are vital to improving life chances for all children.
"As part of our Plan for Change, we are committed to turning the tide on poor behaviour, breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring every child can achieve and thrive.
"Our new regional improvement teams will work with schools to spread the highest standards of behaviour across our classrooms, and we are committed to providing access to a specialist mental health professional in every school.
"But we know there is more to do and are looking closely at how we can go further to support teachers and drive high and rising school standards for all our children."
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