Violence in Schools

"If young people don’t learn that actions have consequences, we’re failing them — not just now, but in their future lives.” Former head teachers Rod Grant and Cameron Wyllie ask how do you tackle violence and abuse in the classroom? Violent incidents in Scottish schools have risen by 53% according to the latest EIS report. In this episode of Two Heads Are Better Than One, they discuss:

• Why many teachers avoid reporting abuse — and how vague definitions of “violence” distort the data.
• Rod and Cameron share vivid, sometimes humorous memories of corporal punishment in their own schooldays — the “tawse,” cold-water regrets, and the accidental self-belting teacher.
• A serious discussion on balance: how Scotland moved from physical punishment to restorative practice — and why many educators say the new approach is failing.
• The crisis of classroom safety: from verbal aggression to shocking stories of violence, and the toll on teachers’ mental health.
• Exploring solutions — should disruptive pupils be taught online or in specialist units? Should there be clearer sanctions for violence?
• Why “mainstreaming” may have gone too far — and how it’s affecting both learning and teacher morale.
• A call to action for teachers and school leaders to share their real experiences, anonymously if necessary, to inform the debate on reform.

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