Classroom violence in Edinburgh rises by more than 40 per cent in a year
‘Many of our schools operate with clear behavioural codes in place’ - John Swinney
A dramatic rise in violence in Edinburgh schools shows the Scottish Government's action plan to tackle the problem is not working, a city MSP has claimed.
The number of violent incidents in the Capital's schools increased from 2,879 to 4,127 between 2023/24 and 2024/25 - a rise of 43 per cent.
Edinburgh Northern Lib Dem MSP Sanne Dijkstra-Downie raised the issue with First Minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament, saying schools should be safe places for pupils and staff alike.
She said: "I know that the Scottish Government has previously produced an action plan on behaviour in schools, but it is clear from those figures that that plan is not working. What further action will the First Minister’s Government take to properly tackle violence in schools?"
The 2024 Relationships and Behaviour in Schools action plan talked about a a culture of high expectations, supporting children who had experience trauma and adversity, but also a "robust, evidence-based approaches to addressing disruption and abuse".
Mr Swinney said: "We have to work jointly with local authorities in this area to ensure that schools are well supported.
"Many of our schools operate with clear behavioural codes in place and there are consequences for those who do not follow those codes.
"I assure the member that the Government is working closely with local authorities to ensure that, in every circumstance, we will act to support teachers."
Data presented to the council's education committee this week showed "violence with injury" incidents increased from 1,967 in 2023/24 to 2,680 in 2024/25 - an increase of 35 per cent.
During the same period, incidents of violence resulting in no injury rose from 903 to 1,447 - an increase of 60 per cent.
Ms Dijkstra-Downie said Lib Dem wanted to recruit 2,000 new pupil support assistants (PSAs) across Scotland to give more in-class support to children who need it and to make sure specialist support was available for pupils with additional support needs.
Last week, the Evening News reported that teachers in Edinburgh are suffering “life-changing injuries” after being assaulted by pupils in the classroom, according to the EIS, Scotland’s biggest teaching union.
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request showed that there were 3,525 physical assaults on teachers in schools across the Capital during the 2024/25 school year - an average of 18 incidents per day.
It was a marked increase compared to 2017/18, when there were just 783 assaults on staff members.
Edinburgh education convener James Dalgleish said: “Any incident of violence or bullying behaviour which puts the safety of our children and young people or staff at risk has to be treated seriously and responded to appropriately.
“But at the same time, we have to remember that these incidents in our schools are not representative of the majority of experiences for those at school, so many of our young people wull go into school, engage positively in learning and make valuable contributions to their schools and their communities.”