By Graham Brown

BRECHIN HIGH School leads the Angus league of shame with over 180 reported incidents of violence and aggression towards school staff last year.

Figures released by Angus Council reveal that a zero tolerance approach adopted by the local authority generated recorded incidents of abuse at 21 of the district’s schools.

Pupils were responsible for the majority of recorded offences, but in eight schools parents took their anger out on staff.

The council said it will continue with its robust approach to these incidents.

The data was obtained under a Freedom of Information request following events at Sidlaw View primary school in Dundee, which has been rocked by allegations of indiscipline by pupils and parents.

In Angus, the vast majority of reported incidents relate to pupil behaviour, but parent problems have reared their head at several schools, including three of the county’s secondaries.

Brechin High witnessed 35 reported incidents during the year—almost half of those verbal attacks.

Abroath and Forfar academies also broke into double figures with incidents of verbal aggression towards staff, while Andover primary in Brechin had the highest tally of combined physical and verbal incidents.

A council spokesperson said the figures reflected a no-nonsense approach towards the issue.

The spokesperson said, “We have encouraged staff to record any assaults —verbal or physical.

“We acknowledge that such assaults are taking place, and we seek to ensure that an appropriate response follows on from any assault.”

“We are far from complacent, and recognise that we must do everything in our power to seek to eliminate the incidence of violence in our schools.”