(UK) Suffolk: 46% increase in assaults on teachers by students

Sept 27, 2017, UK, East Anglian Daily Times: Physical assaults against teachers on the rise in Suffolk and Essex http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/physical-assaults-against-teachers-on-the-rise-in-suffolk-and-essex-1-5212513 Cutbacks in mental health services and social support were last night blamed for the rise in violence against school staff. The news comes amid ongoing concern over teacher recruitment and retention and the effects of classroom disorder on staff shortages. New Department for Education data shows the number of fixed period exclusions for physical assaults against adults in primary, secondary, and special schools in Suffolk rose by 46% in a year, from 340 in 2014/15 to 498 in 2015/16. The overall number of all fixed period exclusions rose by 16%, from 3,720 to 4,300 in Suffolk. Assaults can range from being strangled, punched and kicked to having tables and chairs thrown at teachers. Nationally, around one if five result in a fracture. Only about one in 200 results in concussions or internal injuries. …