New Guidance Released to Address Rising Violence in UK Schools
The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), a foundation conducting research on youth in the UK, has published a guide following a survey on the increasing violence among school-going youth. According to the data from the Teacher Tapp survey conducted by YEF in 2023, 67% of teachers in the country reported that a child physically assaulted another child in the previous term, and 43% reported that a child had assaulted a teacher or other staff members.
The survey results also indicated that 15% of teachers reported that at least one student brought a weapon to school, and 12% reported sexual assaults on another child. Despite the rising incidents of violence, 89% of teachers and 85% of the 7,500 youth who participated in the survey reported feeling safe at school, affirming that schools are “still safe places.”
In response to the survey results aiming to reduce violence in schools, YEF has published a resource guide recommending evidence-supported strategies for schools to ensure active participation in education and to provide a protective environment for children. These strategies include one-on-one mentorship and sports activities for children, which are noted to particularly reduce violence and develop social skills among youth. Additionally, the guide mentions organizing universal curriculums and sessions to reduce violence, and includes therapies that develop emotional regulation and empathy skills for enhancing children’s social and emotional abilities.