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One in ten Jersey teachers has been physically attacked by a pupil, according to a new survey that revealed half feel they don't have enough support in dealing with poor pupil behaviour.
The results came in the 2017-2018 Annual Teachers' Survey, released today, which showed that teachers are facing increasing levels of abuse from students and parents alike.
38% of the 500 teachers who responded to the survey said they had been verbally abused by a pupil in the past year, while roughly one in four experienced verbal abuse from a parent.
52% of teachers in States non-fee paying schools experienced verbal abuse from pupils, while the proportion experiencing verbal abuse from parents is around 25%. In private schools, the proportion of teachers who received abuse from parents was 24%, almost double the proportion of those who have experienced verbal abuse by pupils, 13%.
In States fee-paying schools, the proportion is roughly similar, 14% and 17%, respectively.
Compared to the previous Teachers' Survey, the level of verbal abuse by pupils in the last year increased from 28% in 2015 to 38% most recently.
In addition, 14% of teachers said they were threatened of physical harm by a pupil, with 8% reporting actually being physically attacked by pupils. 6% of teachers also reported receiving abuse or having allegations made against them by pupils on social media.
Pictures: Teachers were asked to share their experiences of unacceptable behaviour.
While twothirds of teachers said that they are given, to some extent, the appropriate training and information to deal with poor pupil behaviour in their school, over half of them said they don't have adequate access to external specialist support for dealing with poor pupil behaviour.
The survey also showed that 83% of teachers were nonetheless satisfied with their roles. Two fifths of them raised concerns over administrative tasks, including photocopying, completing paperwork or filling out risk assessments, which they say take up too much of their time. One in five teachers also mentioned having to record data in multiple areas, having to record every contact they have with students and parents, and having to record feedback that has already been verbally given as unnecessary or unproductive.
Long working hours, the pressure to achieve results, too much paperwork and too much marking, in an extremely short time to complete the curriculum, were also some of the issues raised.
Pictured: 40% of teachers raised issues about administrative tasks taking up too much of their time.
A statement from the Department of Children, Young People, Education and Skill said action has already been taken to address workload issues with a new guidance document issued to all schools, the new “Marking and Planning, Guidance for Jersey Teachers 2018.”
Seán O’Regan, Group Director of Education at CYPES, which has published the new document said: “We know that inconsistencies in approach to marking, planning and some other tasks are having an impact on teachers’ work-life balance. So in the interests of our students and our staff, we are determined that this new guidance on Marking and Planning leads to change.
“We have worked with teachers themselves and the unions to actively look at measures to alleviate workload pressures. To ensure working conditions are the best possible, we have collaborated with the teaching unions in Jersey to identify the specific pressures facing teachers. As well as ongoing discussions, this survey gives us an up-to-date view from the classroom.”
Senator Tracey Vallois, the Education Minister, added: “The Teachers’ Survey highlights a number of areas of concern and where improvements need to and should be made. Mental health and wellbeing is high on our agenda and a large number of our teachers want social and emotional wellbeing in the workplace addressed. We will work with them to improve teacher wellbeing.
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