In light of recent reports regarding student-on-teacher abuse in UK schools, a new study by Save My Exams has uncovered the effects of student and parent abuse towards UK teachers.
The report looks into the impact this abuse has on teacher wellbeing and retention, as well as addressing the consequences it has on the academic performance and results of students.
Save My Exams conducted a survey of 200 current and former UK teachers, as well as reviewing data from a Department for Education (DFE) FOI request, and online Reddit forum analysis.
Two-fifths of teachers have left or contemplated leaving teaching due to abuse from students
Research from Save My Exams has revealed that 66% of UK teachers have experienced some form of abuse from students, with verbal abuse being the most commonly reported issue (43%).
A further 21% of teachers said they had been subjected to online harassment by students, after Save My Exams found that nearly half (44.8%) of Reddit posts reviewed incited hatred or violence towards teachers.
The report also found that two in five (41%) teachers have either left the profession or considered doing so due to abuse from students. Additionally, 4 in 10 (40%) said such abuse prevents them from performing at their best in the classroom.
Almost half (47%) of teachers reported feeling unmotivated in their role as a result of student abuse, while a third (33%) admitted to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.
Over a third of UK teachers have reported an increase in threats and intimidatory behaviour from students post-lockdown
The report shows how verbal abuse towards teachers has surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 43% of teachers surveyed reporting an increase in such incidents from students.
34% of teachers have also reported a rise in threats and intimidatory behaviour since the pandemic.
Save My Exams’ analysis of DFE data supports these findings, revealing that suspensions for verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult in schools rose by 164.5% between the autumn term of 2022/23 and the spring term of 2023/24, compared to the same five-term period from 2016/17 to 2017/18.
Suspensions for physical assault against adults in schools rose by 109.3%, while those suspended for persistent disruptive behaviour jumped by 334.1%.
2 in 3 teachers have been subject to abuse from parents, with 75% of millennial teachers affected
The report reveals that two-thirds (66%) of teachers have faced abuse from parents, most commonly in the form of aggressive or mocking emails and messages (24%).
Almost 1 in 4 (23%) teachers further reported receiving abuse on social media from a student’s parents. Millennial teachers report the highest levels of abuse from parents (75%).
In light of these results, the study found that only 21% of teachers believe that abuse from parents and students towards them is handled adequately.
Student-on-teacher abuse is linked to decline in classroom performance, say 75% of UK teachers
The study also explored how student-on-teacher abuse affects pupils academically.
Three in four (75%) teachers believe that overall student performance has declined as a result of long-term staff absences caused by student-on-teacher abuse, while 41% believe the abuse is negatively impacting exam results.
Education expert calls on UK government to provide more investment to support behaviour policies for teachers
Lucy Kirkham, ex-teacher and Head of STEM at Save My Exams, comments:
“Our report has revealed a significant rise in student-on-teacher abuse and the potential consequences this has on both teachers and students. Not only is it having a profoundly negative impact on the quality of education UK students are receiving, but it is also dramatically affecting attainment by demotivating students and teachers.
“Teachers themselves are having to deal with more verbal and physical abuse and negative comments on online social platforms. This abuse is not just perpetrated by students, but increasingly by parents too. All of this means higher teacher absences, which point to a worsening crisis in teacher retention.
“From this report, we are calling for more guidance and financial support from the UK Government to help rebuild the trust that has deteriorated. More investment is required to support behaviour policies for teachers to deal with the extreme rise in behavioural issues since the Covid-19 pandemic, and to improve the lines of communication between parents and schools.”
