Teachers at Aberdeen school back industrial action over pupil violence

The ballot was at Northfield Academy

Teachers at a school in Aberdeen have voted in favour of industrial action over pupil violence against staff.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) says there is serious concerns over the safety of staff at Northfield Academy.

Aberdeen EIS rep Ron Constable said 89% had voted for strike action on a turn out of 70%.

Aberdeen City Council said it was disappointed by the result as it was addressing concerns raised by staff.

It was continuing to support the school on its "improvement journey", it added.

The union had said violence against teachers, both physical and verbal, perpetrated by a very small percentage of pupils, had become far too frequent at Northfield Academy.

Mr Constable said incidents have been reported to senior managers but they have not been dealt with.

"It's an absolute last resort," he told BBC Scotland. "No teacher wants to go on strike".

• Teachers to strike over pupil violence at school

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Balloting in an individual school on such an issue is regarded as very unusual.

It comes as teachers at a Glasgow high school are to hold 12 days of strike action over violent and abusive pupil behaviour.

Earlier this month the NASUWT union instructed members at Bannerman High School in Baillieston to refuse to teach pupils who were deemed threatening and abusive.