Laser pens, doors, bottles and liquid from a laboratory pipette have all been used by pupils in violent attacks against teachers at Fraserburgh Academy.
New figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives from Aberdeenshire Council show 31 physical attacks have officially been recorded on teachers at the school since 2023.
Scotland’s education secretary, Màiri McAllan MSP, has now been urged to visit the academy to see the issues first-hand as pupils prepare to return to class on Wednesday after the summer holidays.
In its response, the council revealed that teachers have been slapped, kicked and pushed by pupils, who have also used weapons from the classroom for their assaults.
These include doors being deliberately used to hit teachers, and objects such as laser pens, stationery and a pipette of liquid, commonly found in a science laboratory, being thrown at the classroom staff.
Last month, staff at Fraserburgh Academy spoke out at how pupils were “terrorising” the school, leaving some employees in tears.
Surveys carried out by Unison revealed three quarters of staff face violence and aggression at least once a week. More than 50 staff have now signed a letter asking the local authority’s education bosses to meet them.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP James Adams, who is a former pupil at Fraserburgh Academy and lives in the town, said: “I’m sickened by the instances I hear of teachers being attacked at Fraserburgh, which is a great school that should be free from these appalling assaults on staff.
“The epidemic of classroom violence that we are seeing in schools is growing, yet the Scottish Government has done precious little to support teachers, instead passing the buck to councils and the police.
“Having been a pupil at Fraserburgh, I know first-hand how good the school can be and that these events shouldn’t tarnish its image.
“However, the tirade of abuse against classroom staff, is also having a domino effect on attracting teachers to take up jobs at Fraserburgh.
In Case You Missed it:
“Children deserve to learn in environments free from violence and disruption, and our teachers deserve to be protected from such horrifying incidents.
“That is why headteachers, who know what is best for their school, should be given the power to permanently exclude the most violently disruptive pupils.
“As classes return on Wednesday, I will now be writing to SNP education secretary Màiri McAllan, calling on her to visit Fraserburgh Academy, meet its staff, and produce an action plan with Aberdeenshire Council to address this situation.”
