Speaking following a report issued by Ofsted on youth violence, NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:

“This disturbing report lays bare the shocking scale of the problem needing to be dealt with to keep children safe within and outside schools and colleges.

“More knives on our streets inevitably means there are more knives being carried in our schools and colleges. It is a matter of time before another young person or a teacher is seriously injured unless urgent action is taken to tackle the problem of knife carrying.

“Despite our efforts, the previous government failed to seriously address the behaviour crisis in schools.

“The NASUWT is calling on the new government to take the urgent action needed with a national school safety and security action plan developed in partnership with schools, colleges and other relevant bodies.

“Today’s report is a reminder of the need for systemic measures to be introduced to ensure that pupils and teachers can learn and work in an environment that is free from the threat of violence and weapons.

“Our schools and colleges are doing a lot to promote good behaviour, but they need much more support to deal with a culture of weapon-carrying amongst young people that is now an epidemic. No young person should feel the need to carry a weapon. It is absolutely shocking that children as young as 11 feel they must carry weapons to protect themselves.

“The evidence is clear that weapon carrying results in more violence and a higher risk of serious injury or loss of life. We need to see urgent action now.”