May 01, 2025 - 721 views
Violence and significant misbehaviour incidents in schools in Wales have more than doubled in the last three years.
Local authorities received 6,446 violent incident reports from schools in 2023–2024, compared to 4,714 incidents the previous year. A NASUWT survey found that 79% of respondents said verbal and physical abuse from pupils had affected their morale.
Additionally, 65% reported increased stress levels, and 55% said the abuse had made them consider leaving the profession.
The latest data shows that just over 1,000 teachers left in 2023. That’s up from 756 in 2022, 603 in 2021, and 414 in 2020.
Commenting after speaking out on the need to improve behaviour in schools, Mrs. Finch-Saunders said: “I wish to praise all school staff for the work they undertake in sometimes uncertain and dangerous environments.
“The evidence is clear that violence, verbal and physical abuse, and bad pupil behaviour is on the increase.
“Almost all staff enter the education sector to inspire and nurture pupils. For them to be facing such challenges and low morale is deeply wrong.
“Welsh Government need to ensure that Wales has a robust strategy in place to improve discipline and behaviour management in schools, and that pupils found to be carrying weapons are excluded from school.
“We all want our schools to be safe place for all”.
