Professor John Robertson OBA
I remember the constant threat of violence in my pupil days from 1956 to 1969. I wasn’t imagining it. All parts of Scottish society then were much more violent than they are now.
I’m not doubting that a degree of violence persists, for pupils and teachers and that it remains a priority for all involved but facts matter and those facts tell us whether politicians are having any effect. The Mail, above, is platforming Miles Briggs MSP [Con] to blame the SNP directly for it.
So, I accept that school violence persists and needs to be tackled but the scale and impact is massively inflated.
FACTS
Such was the level of violence in Scottish schools last April [2024] that the same two boys had to travel the country to represent it visually. Kind of makes you wonder why, in the age of mobile phone cameras of awesome quality, why BBC Scotland and Wales only have the same Getty image of two lads play wrestling.
Some facts, you won’t be hearing much today.
School violence: A classic example of seeking to stoke moral panic
All forms of bullying in decline and students feel safer than in other nations
Youth violence plummets across society yet increases in schools?
More than FOUR times as many “fleeing rising classroom violence and falling standards in England’s schools”
Finally, if pupil violence is really surging wouldn’t more than one teacher complain?
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Until around 1980 most of the violence in schools was carried out by teachers. It was, literally, institutionalised by corporal punishment.
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Actually my son was bullied by at least once by a horrible teacher, I was bullied by a head teacher…they can be nasty as heck…and when your child is at their mercy you don’t want to rock the boat…
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Interestingly enough I was chatting to my granddaughter just the other day. Her high school recently featured in a BBC report. I’m told that none of the pupils have the foggiest about any of this. She did see a film crew set up outside the school, but that’s it. It’s just nonsense and propaganda.
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Hi
Would you be able to write-up a wee report, anonymised but naming the school, with quotes from your granddaughter, also anonymised?
John
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Some pupils have additional needs. They need diagnosis. Medical science has progressed over the last 10 years. Additional needs can be better understood. Some pupils have ADHD and autism. 1 in 20. They can have talents above the norm that can be developed. Some pupils suffer from anxiety and worry. They do not like noisy places or confined spaces. Sometimes they can lash out. They have meltdowns and can be upset if not given the proper terms of support. Teachers do not get much training in additional needs unless they specialise. The pupils are not being violent they are finding it difficult to cope. Some schools do have bases or quiet spaces where pupils can have respite.
Trained counsellors are being put into schools. To help identify those pupils needing additional help. The Scottish Gov is employing nurture/nature practitioners to help individual pupils and take them outside for recreational times. Helping them to cope. Sometime school hours can be shortened for shorter times at school. Or some pupils have to be home schooled because additional help is not being out in place. Diversity is improving.
Some unionist councils cut services and cut additional needs support. A short term fix which does not help results. It costs more overall because of less support. It costs more for social services and other support. Unionist councils can cause more trouble than help.
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People with learning disabilities and/or autism etc are much more likley to be victims of bullying and crime than perpetrators of such.
One size fits all re schools etc is the problem, and lack of funding for adequate support as well as real and effective anti bullying policies in schools, for the terrible experiences of those with SEN etc.
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SEN=Special educational needs.
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