The issue of discipline in Welsh schools has reached a critical point, with concerning statistics and incidents highlighting the urgent need for action. Recent data reveals that fixed-term exclusions among secondary school pupils have tripled over a seven-year period, underscoring the escalating challenges within the education system.
Additionally, reports of physical assaults on teachers and knife-related incidents are at their highest recorded levels, posing severe risks to both educators and students. With the Labour Government softening exclusion rules for students bringing knives into school, the Welsh Conservatives called for an update to the guidance to ensure any student who brings a weapon to school is automatically excluded.
Addressing these issues requires immediate and decisive action to restore discipline, protect the safety of school communities, and rebuild trust between parents and educators.
In the Senedd today, the Welsh Conservatives brought forward a debate to improve behaviour and tackle school violence following these alarming trends.
Commenting after the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, said:
“Under Labour’s watch, the situation in our schools is deeply concerning with record levels of physical assaults on teachers, a tripling of fixed term exclusions and an increase in knife-related incidents on school grounds.
“Teachers, students and parents are all affected by the escalating lack of discipline. Immediate action is needed to reverse these trends and restore safety and order in our schools.
"We must take a firm stand against violence and misconduct to create a safe environment where pupils can thrive. Disappointingly, Labour and Plaid Cymru voted against our motion to enhance safety and well-being in schools, missing an opportunity to rebuild trust between schools and families."
The motion which was debated today reads:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes the increasing lack of discipline in Welsh schools and the detrimental impact this has on the learning environment, with the Welsh Government’s own data showing the number of secondary school pupils who received fixed term exclusions tripling from 2015/16 to 2022/23.
2. Regrets that physical assaults on teachers and knife attacks in Welsh schools are at their highest ever levels.
3. Recognises there has been a breakdown in the relationship between parents and teachers since the Covid-19 pandemic.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) implement a robust strategy to improve discipline and behaviour management in schools; and
b) ensure exclusion from schools and pupil referral units guidance, issued by the Welsh Government, is updated to ensure those carrying a weapon are excluded.
