Thousands of violent incidents towards teachers reported in Scotland over five years

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"More than 5,000 violent incidents have been reported in Scottish schools over the past five years, with hundreds of teachers requiring medical attention as a result, new figures reveal. Data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information requests shows 5,222 incidents were recorded between the 2019/20 and 2024/25 academic years. Of these, 225 required staff members to attend hospital or visit a GP."

"Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conservatives' education spokesman, stated: "These deeply alarming figures show how teaching staff are being betrayed by the SNP's soft-touch approach to school discipline. Nobody should fear being assaulted in their workplace, yet that is the appalling reality for far too many teachers and support staff." He added: "This is why we have pledged to give headteachers the power to p"

The Independent operates without paywalls and solicits donations to fund on-the-ground reporting across topics such as reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech. The outlet cites investigations into pro-Trump PAC finances and a documentary spotlighting American women fighting for reproductive rights as examples of its work. Freedom of Information data obtained by Scottish Conservatives recorded 5,222 violent incidents in Scottish schools between 2019/20 and 2024/25, with 225 incidents requiring hospital or GP attention. Some local authorities did not respond to requests, suggesting the true total may be higher. The Scottish Conservatives described the figures as deeply alarming and criticised the SNP's approach to school discipline.

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