INVERCLYDE has one of Scotland’s lowest rates of assaults on primary and secondary school teachers, according to new figures.

There were 11 in 2013/14, compared with 17 in 2012/13 and eight the previous year.

The reported incidents across Scotland included staff being punched, kicked, pushed, shoved and spat upon, but no specific details were available on the Inverclyde cases.

Figures obtained under a Freedom of Information request show that only two councils had fewer assaults on teachers in 2013/14 — Orkney with four and Stirling and Western Isles with one each.

However, the overall statistics were higher in Inverclyde’s neighbouring authorities.

The number of assaults for the three years in North Ayrshire were 36, 14 and 27, while in East Renfrewshire there were 58, 58 and 32 incidents. In Renfrewshire the numbers were 237, 237 and 277.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union said it was working closely with Inverclyde Council on ways to improve pupil behaviour.

Inverclyde EIS secretary, Tom Tracey, said: “Teachers complain to us about discipline problems, but I’m not aware of any major issue over assaults.” He said the union was working with the council’s education, psychological and social work departments on a new ‘positive relationships, positive behaviour’ report introduced to update procedures because of changes in legislation.

Mr Tracey said: “The report is in the process of being implemented and monitored.” Inverclyde Council said they take the safety of all staff in schools and educational establishments extremely seriously.

A spokesman said: “They are given full support and, when necessary, we will also meet with parents and young people to work pro-actively with any situations that occur.

“Overall, there is a decreasing trend involving ‘physical assaults’ across Inverclyde, and our new ‘positive relationships, positive behaviour’ policy is being recognised as good practice nationally and has the full support of teaching unions. It should also be noted there has been an improvement in the reporting of incidents.” The assault figures were obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, whose young people spokeswoman, Liz Smith MSP, said: “Teachers should not be subjected to any form of assault, no matter how minor it may appear. We shouldn’t demonise pupils, but it is vital that teachers do not feel threatened in their own work environment.” A Scottish Government spokesman said it is committed to working to improve behaviour in schools.

He added: “The vast majority of pupils are well-behaved, but any attack on a teacher is one too many.” Assaults included in the stats can be either physical, verbal or emotional.