PUPIL exclusions for attacks on adults at schools in Bournemouth and Poole rocketed leading to teachers’ union chiefs calling for school leaders to ensure staff can work in a safe environment.

In Bournemouth, figures show the number of exclusions as a result of physical assaults against an adult jumped 42 per cent from 86 in 2015-16 to 122 in 2017-18.

The situation in Poole presented a similar picture with a 48 per cent increase from 58 exclusions to 86.

Following the study of primary and secondary school Department for Education data by Newsquest’s Data Investigations team, Mike Leigh, National Association of Schoolmasters/ Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) national executive member for Bournemouth and Poole, said: “We want to ensure that all members of staff in schools feel protected and feel they are working in a safe environment and that is what most school leadership teams do.

“Where there are incidents, and we know there are incidents, individuals need to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately to ensure staff and students feel they can continue to work and learn in a comfortable environment.

“It is important for anybody who works in any school to be in a union. School leadership teams must work in partnership with teaching and non-teaching unions to make sure everyone is in a good position.”

Exclusions in Bournemouth due to a physical assault against another pupil were up from 223 to 292 over the three-year period, but down in Poole from 148 to 142.

Councillor Sandra Moore, BCP Council portfolio holder for children and families, said she could not comment on the figures as they relate to the now abolished Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole.

“However, BCP Council is committed to ensuring that all children receive a high quality education that prepares them for the brightest possible future,” she said.

“The majority of schools are Academies and are responsible for implementing their own behaviour and disciplinary policies, which includes the use of permanent and fixed term exclusions. However, we work closely with the schools, teachers, children and their families to ensure that children are only excluded from school when absolutely necessary.”