Calls for tougher action to tackle violent behaviour in classrooms have been made following an incident at Johnstone High earlier this month.

We previously reported that emergency services were called to the school at about 10.45am on Friday, May 12, after a former pupil gained access.

Three female teachers, aged 34, 48 and 59, were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley.

A 14-year-old pupil also suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

It was later confirmed that a 16-year-old girl had been charged and would be reported to the Scottish Children’s Reporter.

The Scottish Conservatives will now use their party business in Holyrood this week to focus on the "crisis" of classroom violence in Scotland's schools.

The Gazette:

Stephen Kerr MSP, Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, said: "The escalation of violent incidents in schools in recent years is nothing short of a national scandal.

"The SNP have taken their eye off the ball on this issue and violent incidents have soared as a result. Only earlier this month we saw a shocking incident at Johnstone High School where three teachers had to be rushed to hospital.

"The Scottish Conservatives are using our party business on Wednesday to urge ministers to produce a comprehensive plan to address this crisis of violence which has become endemic in our schools."

Alongside party colleagues, Mr Kerr will call for the creation of a School Violence Working Group involving all relevant stakeholders to tackle the issue, and promote acceptable classroom behaviour.

The debate will also urge minsters to review current exclusion policies and to explore whether alternative educational provision would be suitable for repeat offenders.

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Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said: “Any form of violence in our schools is completely unacceptable. I have spoken openly about my concern regarding the change in school culture post-Covid and what that has meant for behaviour, but more generally relationships within our school communities. 

"It is clear that teachers need support to respond to challenging behaviour, but it is also clear to me that examples of extreme events reported in the press must be treated very carefully. We are, after all, talking about children."

Ms Gilruth said she had discussed the matter at length with teaching unions and the Scottish Government was working closely with local authorities to tackle violence and bullying in schools.

She added: "Covid has changed the culture in our schools – in part that relates to behaviour, but we need to look more broadly at things like attendance particularly in those year groups who faced transition periods, for example primary to secondary, during lockdown. 

"I am determined to ensure that teachers and all school staff are better supported to deal with behaviour in our schools, including reporting of incidents. We will continue to engage with trade unions and later this year we will publish updated material showing the national picture in relation to this issue."