First minister Nicola Sturgeon has been quizzed about violence in Scottish schools after MSPs heard about an “ugly” social media video showing a girl being attacked in a secondary school.
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie, who referred to the video during First Minister’s Questions today, said he “cannot get it out of my head”.
Ms Sturgeon promised to watch the video and said she would explore if “further support” could be offered to schools to deal with violence.
Mr Rennie, the MSP for North East Fife, said: “Yesterday evening I watched a social media video of a female pupil attacking another at Waid Academy [in Anstruther], which is in my constituency. To be frank, I wish that I had not done so. I cannot get it out of my head; it was an ugly scene.
“Earlier this year, then president of the Educational Institute of Scotland, Heather Hughes, warned about increasing violence in our schools. I am supporting staff, the council and the school locally. What action is the government taking across the country?”
In response to Mr Rennie, the first minister said: “I have not seen the video that he mentioned, but I will watch it if it is available because I think that it is important that we have a full understanding of such issues.
“Violence is never acceptable, and the safety of pupils and staff is paramount. Obviously, I cannot comment further today on the specifics of the case at Waid Academy, but I am very clear that violence towards anyone is unacceptable.
“I asked [education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville] to meet the [local authorities’ body Cosla] spokesperson for children and young people to discuss what further support to local authorities is required and what further support we can provide.”
“They met on 2 December, and they discussed a continued commitment to work together in partnership through the Scottish advisory group on relationships and behaviour in schools, and to use the behaviour in Scottish schools research as the national evidence base to inform future policy on relationships and behaviour in schools.”
Ms Sturgeon added: “We are also investing an additional £15 million this year to enhance capacity in education authorities and schools to respond effectively to the needs of children and young people.
“We will continue to consider fully what additional steps we can take to support councils in making it very clear that violence is unacceptable and in taking action to support children, young people and teachers who face such violence.”
The next report of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools research project has been delayed but is now due to be published in 2023. It has been tracking behaviour in Scottish schools and the responses to it since 2006. The project’s most recent report was published in 2017.
