TEACHERS and pupils are increasingly at risk of violent attacks, a teaching union says.

Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, issued the stark warning at its annual conference in Glasgow.

She said schools were failing in their duty to record and address all incidents of serious pupil violence and disruption.

Keates said proper risk assessments were not always taken of pupils who persistently display high levels of aggression, and that even where assessments were made, details were often not shared with school staff.

She said: “Where a pupil is known to exhibit violent and disruptive behaviour, a risk assessment should be undertaken and action taken to support the pupil to address their behaviour and to protect other pupils and staff.

“However, there are too many cases where schools and local authorities fail to act on reports of serious disruption and violence and fail to provide both pupils and staff with the protection and support they need.

“The NASUWT is continuing to challenge those schools and local authorities which leave teachers recklessly exposed to violent pupil behaviour.”

Jane Peckham, NASUWT national official Scotland, added: “Pupil behaviour is one of the top concerns that teachers raise about their job. Yet evidence shows that teachers are not receiving the support they need to tackle these issues.

“The NASUWT believes there should be a zero tolerance policy of violent behaviour in schools. Failing to deal with this problem will only make matters worse and endangers pupils and staff."