Publication of Scottish Government school behaviour action plan

The EIS has noted today’s publication of the ‘Behaviour and Relationships in Schools’ action plan by the Scottish Government.

While acknowledging that the content of the plan aligns with existing GIRFEC policy, the EIS has warned that it will not deliver on the pressing aim of addressing violence and aggression in our schools unless it accompanied by additional funding and resources.

Commenting following the publication of the Plan on Thursday morning, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Whilst there are some elements of the plan which we believe are helpful, in its entirety, and most significantly, as an action plan to tackle what seems to have been accepted by government to be a very real problem, it fails to identify how, where and to what extent, the requisite resources will be channelled towards solving or even alleviating, the problem of disruptive, violent and aggressive behaviour in our schools.

"Reference in the document to the ‘challenging financial situation’ does not provide the necessary reassurance to teachers, school staff, parents and pupils that the action plan will address what are very real health and safety concerns in our schools.”

Ms Bradley continued, “Our members sent a very clear message to the Scottish Government last year that action is needed urgently to address violence and aggression in our schools – over 80% of EIS branches nationally reported violent and aggressive incidents taking place in their schools every week.

"Almost all school branches reported an increase in stress, anxiety and depression amongst teachers, linked to violent and aggressive behaviours, with some teachers considering leaving the profession as a result.”

Ms Bradley added, “99% of school branches said that violent, aggressive and disruptive behaviour is having a detrimental impact on pupils’ learning. The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research, commissioned by the Scottish Government and published last year, replicated these findings. These findings were a real red flag on the reality of the working environment for pupils, teachers and support staff in schools right across Scotland.”

Calling for steps to be taken to address the challenges, Ms Bradley added, “There is a need for urgent action to ensure that our schools are safe places to learn and to work – the action plan must be backed up by resources to deliver the change that children, young people, teachers and all school staff need.

"Without the necessary allocation of funding and resources, the plan will become little but a wish list and a real wasted opportunity to deliver a better, safer learning and teaching environment in Scotland’s schools.”