To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were assaulted by (a) pupils and (b) parents in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. (139017)

This information is not held centrally.

For the academic years 2003/04 and 2004/05 information is available on the reasons for pupil exclusions. These reasons include ‘physical assault against an adult’.

Tables showing the available information about the number of pupils who have been excluded from school on either a permanent or fixed period basis including the reasons for exclusion have been placed in the Library.

Violence against school staff will not be tolerated. We fully back schools taking tough action against anyone—pupil or parent—who behaves aggressively. We are implementing a wide-ranging national programme to strengthen schools’ capacity to manage behaviour and minimise violence.