Violence against Aberdeen teachers up 25% in one year

Violence against teachers in Aberdeen schools has risen by 25% in the past year, according to figures seen by BBC Scotland News.

An action plan designed to tackle the issue was drafted by Aberdeen City Council in March last year.

However, council data shows there were 928 reports of violent incidents against school staff in the first three months of this year, up from 740 in the same period in 2024.

The EIS teaching union described the figures as "concerning".

Last year, teachers told BBC Scotland News they were traumatised, feared for their safety, and were scared to go to work.

At the time Aberdeen City Council said it was trying to support staff while also addressing underlying causes of misbehaviour.

The EIS called for urgent intervention by the council and was involved in drafting an action plan in March last year.

It will now survey members in Aberdeen to understand the extent of the problem.

The council figures seen by BBC Scotland News showed that from January to March of 2023 there were 592 reports of violence.

In the same months 2024 this rose to 740, then in 2025 it reached 928 incidents.

EIS Aberdeen branch secretary Ron Constable said the statistics showed violent and aggressive behaviour and incidents in the city were at a six-year high.

"There's no doubt that any sort of violent and aggressive behaviour towards one of our members causes them not only physical harm but also stress in terms of their mental health and wellbeing," he said.

"Quite frequently the incidents that are happening are biting, spitting, being struck by an object, being struck physically by a pupil, and these sort of things can cause a lot of alarm to our members."

He explained: "We have been working very strongly with the authority to try and mitigate some of these events that have been going on.

"But those figures that are coming through now are really causing us quite a lot of concern in terms of how the action plan is being implemented."

The Scottish Government said violence and abusive behaviour in schools was "completely unacceptable".

A spokesperson said: "We all want our schools to be safe and consistent learning environments for teachers, wider staff and pupils alike.

"The Scottish government is providing support and direction at a national level, including the recent publication of the National Behaviour Action Plan, to address this issue.

"We have been working with a range of partners, including the EIS, to develop new guidance on responding to behaviour, including consequences, which we will publish before the end of the school term."

It said councils were expected to consider how best to implement national guidance at a local level.

Aberdeen City Council has been approached for comment.