By Maura Bowman

STAFF AT a Dundee primary school are being attacked by some pupils on “a daily basis” while the children’s equally violent parents wander the corridors at will, according to information passed to The Courier yesterday.

The lurid picture of young children at Sidlaw View Primary School being taught by frightened teachers against a backdrop of violence and disruption was drawn by the worried husband of a member of staff, who says he is becoming increasingly concerned for his wife’s safety.

“Something urgently requires to be done before something really serious occurs—and before it is too late,” he warned.

Just two weeks ago, police had to be called to the school in Kirkton after parents caused “a riot,” in full view of young children, he said.

Outlining his shocking allegations, he asked why disruptive children were being allowed to stay in a mainstream school instead of being removed to a centre designed to cope with their challenging behaviour.

“Various staff have been bitten, struck on the head, kicked, spat on and threatened with sharp objects, scissors, etc,” he told The Courier.

Staff are also being verbally and physically threatened by parents, he went on, and just days into the new term police had to be called to the school after violent behaviour by parents in front of children.

“Police were called out on the 23rd August to an incident involving two families who caused a riot by throwing chairs at each other, in a violent incident which took place in full view of primary one pupils and also in front of other parents and toddlers who had been waiting to get family photographs taken,” he said.

A spokesman for Dundee City Council’s education department declined to confirm any specific incidents at the school.

However, a Tayside Police spokeswoman confirmed officers were called to a disturbance in the school dining hall on August 23.

“Three women were issued with fixed penalty notices for breach of the peace in connection with the incident,” she added.

Even so, said the staff member’s husband, the women responsible were allowed back into the school soon after to have their family photographs taken.

He also hit out at what he claimed was the lack of specialist training offered to prepare staff for the challenges they have to face at the school every day.

“Another recent incident involved a classroom assistant who is on temporary contract with no specialised training,” he continued.

“She was left alone with six violent pupils in the library as trouble spilled over between them. She was unable to cope and had to summon urgent assistance.”

Another major area of concern was lack of security at the school, he continued.

“Known drug users have been found entering and have been discovered on the school premises without due authority,” he said.

“Entrance is by buzzer and the reception are unable to see or hear who is entering the school premises.”

The concerned husband claimed “violence report” forms are being completed at the school regularly.

However, the education department spokesman maintained none has been received by the department this term, which started on August 14.

In a statement refuting the man’s allegations, the spokesman said, “The city council takes the safety of staff in all its schools extremely seriously.

“Training is available for all members of staff in city council schools through the continuous professional development system.

“This school, as with all others in the city, uses the city council’s managing disruptive behaviour guidelines and other specialist support to help deal with any unacceptable behaviour.”

Turning to the subject of school security, he went on, “At this school there is a secure entry system that allows the office to see and speak to people at the door before it is opened.

“There are also CCTV cameras covering other parts of the school.”