It’s a terrifying moment no parent wants to imagine: your child’s teacher ducking as a chair is hurled across the classroom. But sadly, this kind of scenario isn’t as rare as we’d like — and it’s raising serious questions about how schools handle disruptive and violent behaviour.
Teachers Speak Out: “We’ve Lost the Balance”
Talk to any teacher today and you’ll hear a familiar story: classrooms are becoming harder to manage. While everyone agrees that positive relationships are the foundation of good behaviour, many educators feel they’re now powerless to enforce boundaries.
The Scottish Government has responded by publishing new guidelines on managing aggression and violence in schools. But not everyone’s convinced. Critics have dismissed the document as vague, with the Scottish Conservatives calling it “waffle” and claiming it lacks clarity on how and when to exclude violent pupils.
A Teacher’s Breaking Point
Karen Simpson, who spent 14 years teaching in Inverness, left the profession in 2018. “I loved the job,” she says, “but it became impossible to maintain discipline. The boundaries just weren’t there anymore.”
And Karen’s not alone. Across Scotland, many teachers are walking away, saying their classrooms have become overwhelming. Some parents, too, are pulling their children out of school, saying they’re too scared or anxious to attend — traumatised by classmates who repeatedly swear, lash out, and face no real consequences.
Some have even called for a return to old-school punishments — like the tawse — banned in the 1980s. While few would advocate for that today, many agree the pendulum may have swung too far in the name of “nurture.”
What the New Guidance Actually Says
So what’s in the new guidance?
For low-level disruption, schools are advised to offer alternatives to the main lesson — giving kids space to regulate their emotions, or suggesting short breaks. There’s also mention of more learning support for pupils who struggle with behaviour — although teachers say this support is already stretched too thin.
In more serious cases, the guidance suggests things like giving pupils laminated reminders on how to behave or relocating them within the school to calm down.
Exclusion remains an option, but only as a last resort. The government stresses that removing a child from school can have long-term negative effects on their future. Still, some teachers argue that without any meaningful consequences, the situation can spiral — for pupils and staff alike.
Mixed Reaction
Teachers’ unions have cautiously welcomed the guidelines, but stress that words alone won’t fix things. More staff and better resources are needed to make these ideas work in real classrooms.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth says the new guidance empowers teachers to deal with rising disruption. But critics, including the Scottish Conservatives, say the guidance lacks teeth.
“Teachers are still being given no clear rules,” said Conservative education spokesperson Miles Briggs. “They’re being told to try hand signals and eye contact while extreme behaviour continues to rise.”
What Does This Mean for Parents?
For dads across the country, this is more than just a policy debate — it’s about the safety and wellbeing of our children. We want our kids to go to school to learn, grow, and feel safe. But if teachers don’t feel supported, and children aren’t held accountable, something has to give.
So, will these new rules make a real difference? Only time will tell — but one thing’s clear: the conversation about discipline in schools is far from over.
