Ex-headteacher says attacks on school staff are 'hardly surprising' due to cutbacks

An ex-headteacher says violence against school staff is ‘hardly surprising’ due to cutbacks, following the release of new statistics.

A Freedom of Information request sent to Westmorland and Furness Council uncovered that there were 16 incidents of pupils attacking school staff over the last two school years.

The request, made by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), found that workers were headbutted, kicked, bitten, had doors slammed on heads and more.

Violent incidents fell year-on-year, with 11 in the 2024-25 school year compared to five in the 2025-26 school year.

The council said it takes violence against staff and pupils in schools ‘seriously’, adding it gives staff ‘opportunities’ related to trauma.

Former Cumbrian headteacher and National Education Union (NEU) caseworker, Chris Brooksbank, told the LDRS ‘cracks’ in the system were ‘hardly surprising’ given cutbacks. 

He said: “An over 50 per cent reduction in reported assaults from 2024/25 to last year is welcome, but one assault against anyone in schools, especially a member of staff, is one too many.

“It is hardly surprising, after years of cutbacks and intense pressure on schools to keep on doing more with less resource, that cracks appear.

“Children and young people are under more pressure than ever, and it is almost inevitable that some incidents will occur across so many schools.” 

Chris said the NEU expects the issue is ‘significantly under-reported’, especially in SEND contexts, but the area is ‘fortunate’ to have low levels of this behaviour.

But he added: “These will be the most serious incidents and they are shocking when listed as they are. 

“The average person probably sees and hears more about assaults in school that they did some years ago, but whether this is due to wider media coverage or more emphasis on reporting is unclear.

“We continue to call for more support for school staff, training and accurate reporting and monitoring – but recognise that this takes time and will cost money – we hope the public recognise the need to increase spending on education and services for children and young adults.”

Chris added it is important for school staff to know that if they are assaulted, schools have a ‘legal duty to respond, record the event and provide support for their employees’, and that if schools do not, staff should contact their union.

By Zach Harrison (Local Democracy Reporting Service)