School security 'a lottery' putting staff and pupils at risk, teachers warn
Security measures at schools are 'a lottery' leaving the safety of pupils and school staff to chance, teachers have warned.
The NASUWT Scotland union claims there has been a failure to implement or retain improvements following the Dunblane massacre nearly 30 years ago.
Teachers are concerned that measures to control access to school buildings are no longer strictly applied.
The union is calling for the Scottish Government to provide consistent standards of school safety and security for staff and pupils across Scotland by providing the necessary resources to help protect every school site from intruders or attacks.
Representatives attending the NASUWT Scotland union's annual conference on Saturday in Glasgow will highlight a failure to maintain security measures in schools implemented
Matt Wrack, NASUWT acting general secretary, said: 'We must never forget the horrific events which took place in Dunblane in 1996 in which 16 pupils and their teacher died and 15 others were injured, nor the collective desire to work collaboratively thereafter to ensure that tragedy could never happen again.
'The Cullen Inquiry at the time recognised that those who have the legal responsibility for the health and safety of the teaching staff and pupils in schools should prepare a safety strategy for the protection of the school population against violence, together with an action plan for implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of safety measures appropriate to the particular school.
'Sadly other attacks and attempted attacks on staff and pupils on school sites in the UK have taken place in recent years and teachers report approaches to school security have not been consistently maintained.'
Mr Wrack said guidance should be developed in partnership with industry experts and trade unions to ensure schools are aware of their obligations and responsibilities on safety.
The unions said parents have the right to expect consistent safety and security when they send children to school.
But Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland national official, said it varies considerably across the country.
He said this was often due to the age of the school building, the availability of resources for school maintenance and the adherence of employers to safety guidance.
'This is not about turning schools into fortresses, but putting in place proportionate measures to ensure security is not compromised,' he said.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Dunblane atrocity was one of Scotland's darkest days and we will always remember the 16 children and the teacher who tragically lost their lives.
'Although it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage their school estate, we expect them to provide safe environments for all school users.'
A COSLA Spokesperson said: 'Councils take the health and safety of their workforce and those that access their services very seriously.
'This obviously includes children, young people and school staff. Every effort is made to ensure that learning environments are safe and secure spaces that are also welcoming and nurturing. If any employee feels unsafe, they should raise this with their line manager in the first instance and follow local authority protocols in terms of alerting senior officers.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Now health minister backs adding crack room to controversial 'shooting gallery' facility
A heroin shooting gallery may be extended to allow drug users to inhale crack cocaine without prosecution after the controversial move was yesterday backed by Scotland's Health Secretary. Neil Gray told MPs that the existing Glasgow drug consumption room pilot has 'limitations' because it only allows addicts to inject. He said there is 'international evidence' to support extending it to include an inhalation room, and the Scottish Government and Lord Advocate would consider the issue if there is an application by the operator of The Thistle. He also indicated support for considering further drug consumption rooms before the pilot scheme is evaluated. At Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee yesterday, Mr Gray said: 'I understand because of the changing nature of substance dependency that the current establishment of the facility on an injection facility basis may provide limitations, and there is international evidence to point to the relative success of inhalation facilities.' Bosses of the £2.3million 'safer consumption centre' in Glasgow first outlined proposals to set up an inhalation room for smoking crack cocaine within the facility in March. They hoped this would attract more addicts to the Scottish Government-financed clinic, which is run by the Glasgow City Council and NHS bosses. Laura Zeballos, deputy director of the Scottish Government's drugs policy division, yesterday said: 'There is international evidence that inhalation rooms are standard components of safer consumption facilities, we see that in many of the facilities in Germany, in Denmark and France, where their role in preventing respiratory harm is noted in the evidence base as a result.' Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Faces and Voices of Recovery, said: 'I'm deeply concerned. What Neil Gray is now floating is a further normalisation of drug use, this time by providing a publicly sanctioned space for people to inhale crack cocaine. Let's call this what it is: state-enabled self-destruction. 'The fact that this expansion is even being discussed before there's been any independent analysis of the Glasgow facility's impact should worry everyone. 'We are sprinting ahead with a radical public health experiment while bypassing basic evidence, democratic accountability, and common sense. 'The original injection facility was sold as a tightly controlled pilot — now we're talking about rolling out more sites, even as the drug death toll continues to mount and treatment access remains abysmal. 'We're giving out crack pipes, but we won't fund real rehab. ' Mr Gray said there is interest from other parts of Scotland for drug consumption rooms and they need to come forward with proposals. He said: 'That does not necessitate having to wait until the end of the pilot; that could happen before then.' Scottish Conservative drugs spokesman Annie Wells said: 'Neil Gray needs to drop this reckless plan and urgently confirm that his government will wait for a full report on their flagship facility before agreeing to support any more consumption rooms.' A Home Office minister yesterday said the Labour Government will not support drug consumption rooms and won't change laws to allow more to operate.
The Courier
3 hours ago
- The Courier
Parole case for Angus killer Tasmin Glass deferred as family brand failure to reach decision 'a nonsense'
A parole bid by Angus killer Tasmin Glass has been deferred after the board failed to reach a decision. Bill Donaldson, the father of Glass' victim Steven Donaldson, has called the outcome 'a nonsense'. The Donaldsons were notified just before 2pm on Wednesday that The Parole Board for Scotland were 'unable to conclude their decision' on the Kirriemuir killer's latest bid for freedom. It will now be around six to eight weeks before the case is considered again at an oral hearing. Glass was granted parole in July last year, halfway through her sentence for culpable homicide, but recalled to prison in April for breaking the conditions of her release. This is the third time a parole case involving Glass has been deferred. The board failed to reach a decision on two other occasions before her eventual release last July, leaving the Donaldson family in a state of limbo for months. The latest deferral has left Steven's family frustrated as they are forced to wait yet again to see if his killer will be released from jail. Steven's dad Bill told The Courier: 'This is nonsense. 'We have not been told why this has happened but we understand it's because today's hearing was purely procedural with neither Glass nor any witnesses present. 'We are aware that she could have requested to be at the hearing but that appears to have not happened. 'This means this is, yet again, going to drag on for us. 'We now have to go through the entire procedure yet again. 'We can take comfort from the fact she currently remains in prison but how much longer do we have to deal with this. 'Yet again Glass seems to be dictating terms.' The Kirriemuir killer was sent back to jail in April after breaking the conditions of her release just nine months after being granted freedom. Under law she must be considered for parole again 'immediately' after recall. The Donaldsons were notified of today's case a fortnight ago. Glass was jailed in 2019 after being convicted of culpable homicide for her 'pivotal role' in the murder of Steven Donaldson in Kirriemuir. Her co-accused, Steven Dickie and Callum Davidson, both received life sentences after being found guilty of murder. Dickie has since taken his own life in prison. In an interview with The Courier on the eve of the parole hearing, Bill Donaldson said he will never forgive Glass or the other killers. He told us: 'We will never forgive Tasmin Glass or the other killers for the brutal way in which they murdered our beloved son. 'What they did was horrific. The way they killed Steven doesn't bear thinking about. 'We, as a family, will never forgive what they did.' Through our A Voice for Victims campaign, The Courier has been working with families like the Donaldsons to bring reforms to the Scottish parole system. We want more transparency, better communication for victims and a rethink on automatic parole consideration for violent offenders halfway through their sentence.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Love Island's Kyle's replacement confirmed as star exits over machete arrest
Love Island have announced a new singleton who will be heading into the villa. It comes just hours after Kyle Ashman was axed from the line-up over a previous arrest. The 23-year-old had been hoping to find love with someone who was "fun, confident and just themselves" on the show, fronted by Maya Jama. But just hours after he was announced, it emerged that he won't be appearing in the villa, just days before the show was due to start. Kyle had previously been arrested and quizzed by police in connection with a violent incident involving a machete earlier this year. No further action was taken by the force against Kyle. Staffordshire Police confirmed that two men were arrested on suspicion of wounding following a fight involving masked individuals and weapons outside a Stafford social club. In a statement, the force said: "We were called to a social club on Riverway, Stafford, at 7.40pm on Friday 28 February following reports that someone had been glassed outside and a fight was taking place. Some of the men involved were wearing masks and were carrying weapons. Two men went to hospital after suffering injuries at the scene. Both have since been discharged. "A man and a woman suffered minor injuries at the scene but did not want any medical treatment. A 22-year-old man, from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of wounding and affray. Another man, also 22 and from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of affray. Both were released with no further action." Kyle has strongly denied having any involvement in the incident. He said: "I fully cooperated with this police investigation and made it very clear that I had no involvement in this incident. I am not a violent person and any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation." Meanwhile, ITV told the Mirror: "For personal reasons, Kyle will not be entering the Love Island Villa as planned." Now, the show has confirmed that Conor will instead be looking for love. Speaking about signing up for the show, he said he wanted someone "who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic." The rugby player form Limerick added: "I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman." Joining Conor will be 29-year-old Sophie who is currently only finding guys who present "red flags." Personal trainer Dejon, who has a very famous dad, is looking for a girlfriend who is "healthy." Meg, a payroll specialist from Southampton, is hoping to find a guy who is very tall and has a nice tan. Elsewhere, Tommy hopes to find a girlfriend who doesn't take herself too seriously. Scottish star Alima wants to find her own Disney Prince Charming. Cabin crew staff Helena, 29, has her sights set on somebody who is "funny or Northern." Musical theatre performer and energy broker Megan, 24, has already gone viral on TikTok, but she wants a guy like Timothée Chalamet. Construction project manager Blu wants a girl who is "family-oriented." Marketing worker Shakira, hailing from Burnley, hopes to find a gym-goer. Semi-professional footballer, model and gold trader Harry, who stands in as a body double for Declan Rice is hoping to meet a girl who isn't the "most obvious."
